COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)-Ohio's attorney general said he has replaced the head of his office's Consumer Protection Section.

Nadine Ballard was removed from her post after being accepted to a three-month fellowship from the National Association of Attorneys General to study credit card legislation in Washington, starting in May.

Attorney General Richard Cordray told the Cleveland (Ohio) Plain Dealer that rather than appointing an interim chief he decided to replace Ballard. Susan Choe will succeed her in leading the office's Consumer Protection Section.

"Consumer may be the defining section of the office. It directly affects the quality of life for Ohioans and the marketplace," Cordray said in an interview.

Ballard, who is considered to an expert in the state's Consumer Sales Practices Act, would likely return from her fellowship and take a refined role in his office, Cordray said.

"I hope to have her continue to be very involved in enforcing the CSPA," he was quoted Tuesday by the newspaper as saying.

The attorney general said he also wants his office to go beyond enforcement of the Consumer Sales Practices Act and do more to protect nonprofits and small businesses from fraud.

Cordray, a Democrat, was elected Ohio attorney general in a November special election to complete the two years that remained on the unexpired term of former Attorney General Marc Dann, who resigned in May amid a sexual harassment scandal.

From Legal Newsline: Reach staff reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.