Federal and state investigators met this week with Washington County District Attorney Steven M. Toprani to discuss, among other things, the probe into former DA John C. Pettit's dealings.

Investigators are looking into whether Mr. Pettit offered preferential treatment to friends and political supporters. They are also trying to determine whether he abused his power by developing a personal relationship with a female inmate.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Cessar, an FBI agent a state police representative and two other officials met with Mr. Toprani Wednesday behind closed doors for about 90 minutes.

"We discussed a whole myriad of issues," Mr. Toprani said yesterday, declining to be more specific.

The investigators also met with the entire staff of the county's probation department to assure them they were not targets of any investigation, said Common Pleas President Judge Debbie O'Dell-Seneca.

"There's been a lot of rumors and speculation," she said.

A federal grand jury is ongoing. Since the fall of 2005, federal agents have approached a number of county employees, including assistant district attorneys, the jail warden and a probation officer, to question them.

Patrick Thomassey, Mr. Pettit's attorney, was unavailable for comment.