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AG Dann addresses sexual harassment allegations against staffer
Related:
> Dann denies allegations in a sexual harassment complaint
> Office under new scrutiny | Timeline
> Video of Marc Dann's answers | Comment
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
COLUMBUS — Attorney General Marc Dann denied reports that his 28-year-old former scheduler was ever wearing pajamas at his apartment — an allegation made in a sexual harassment complaint filed by two other female employees against Dann's friend and neighbor, Anthony Gutierrez.
"She's never been in my house wearing pajamas, so she certainly wasn't there that night in pajamas," Dann told reporters Wednesday, April 9. "That's just the strangest thing that I could ever imagine anyone saying. And it's hurtful because I have children who are embarrassed by the fact that that's been repeated over and over again in the newspaper."
Extras
Two 26-year-old junior staffers filed sexual harassment complaints with the attorney general's human resources department and the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The Columbus Dispatch, which obtained copies of the complaints, said the women complained that their boss, Gutierrez, pressured them frequently to have sex.
Gutierrez, 50, is Dann's neighbor at his home near Youngstown and shared a suburban Columbus apartment with Dann and Communications Director Leo Jennings III, where some of the harassment allegedly occurred in Dann's presence. The complaint said Jessica Utovich was at the apartment wearing pajamas that particular night.
A month after the woman first complained to Dann's human resources department, Dann put Gutierrez on paid administrative leave. He is paid $87,500 a year to supervise the maintenance, purchasing and mailroom operations.
"Look, it is tragic that these kinds of allegations have been made about conduct in my office," Dann said. "And if it's true, I want to make sure that appropriate discipline is taken as it relates to everybody involved."
Dann asked two senior attorneys within his office to investigate the matter and handle any discipline. Both attorneys serve at his pleasure.
"I think it would be appropriate to refer this investigation to someone outside the attorney general's office," said University of Akron law professor Jack Sahl, who is deputy director of the Miller Becker Center for Professional Responsibility.
Dann, a Democrat, took office as an ethics reformer but has had a series of missteps that has earned him negative headlines.
Comments
By frank
April 22, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
He is also trying to shut down an after school / summer faith based youth program in inner city Dayton. He says we are a daycare. We do not charge nor ask for anything from the families we serve. We opperate on private donations and grants. We have been here for twenty years and now this gentleman wants to shut us down. Why? he says we are a daycare and need to be licensed…after all the stuff we are being told to do…maybe…just maybe we can help some of the kids!
Nice Guy Mr. Dann
By Gary Glitter
April 18, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
Na Na Na Na — Na Na Na Na — Hey Hey Hey …
By Anon
April 15, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
My children have played football with the children of both of these gentlemen for about the last nine years; though our families never got close or associated with each other beyound football. I am wondering though, WHY was a young woman bar hopping with a married man? What ever happened to anti-fraternization rules? Has anyone forgotten the fad of young women going out in public wearing p.j. bottoms mixed with other clothes, And what about “I feel tippsy, can I use your bed?” Somethings fishy.
By Just a voter
April 12, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Well, well well. Our AG made the point quite clear “She’s never been in my house wearing pajamas, so she certainly wasn’t there that night in pajamas,” means just that but does not mean she was not there and wearing something else or possibly nothing at all! He learned well by being a FOB “I did not have sexual relations with the woman” worked, so why not use legal speak to address this situation.
Toss the bum out!!!!!!!
By Republican
April 11, 2008 12:47 AM | Link to this
Dann, Dann, You dirty Man, Your not the sex offeners fan. But if its true And if Gov Ted Fires you you may just be joining the sex offender band.But being there in the capital has given you power and made you gone quite mad, How sad it is when you can not find the pleasure you seek in your own wifes bed.
By Spider
April 10, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
Strange - Neither Bischoff, Sahl (the esteemed Akron law professor), nor any of the posters has mentioned that charges were also filed with the EEOC, which may — and will — investigate separately from of Dann’s internal probe. That’s about as independent an investigation (an EEOC stacked with Bush-appointed investigators) as you can get.
By Spider
April 10, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
Strange - Neither Bischoff, Sahl (the esteemed Akron law professor), nor any of the posters has mentioned that charges were also filed with the EEOC, which may — and will — investigate separately from of Dann’s internal probe. That’s about as independent an investigation (an EEOC stacked with Bush-appointed investigators) as you can get.
By spider
April 10, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
Strange - Neither Bischoff, Sahl (the esteemed Akron law professor), nor any of the posters has mentioned that charges were also filed with the EEOC, which may — and will — investigate separately from of Dann’s internal probe. That’s about as independent an investigation (an EEOC stacked with Bush-appointed investigators) as you can get.
By JD
April 10, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
I want Dann to feel the presure…Two lawyers in his office are conducting the investigations??? OMG Get real! Hire independent outside counsel and toss this clown out of office…I bet most “harmless” sex offenders are happy he’s now in the negative spotlight since he passed that crappy law requiring them to register more in years even when they’re time is up. Payback Mr. Dann!!!!
By Really Concerned
April 10, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
I say it is time for a RECALL vote. Dann has failed and has proven unethical beahvior far beyond Bob Taft.
By Festoon Fussnucker
April 10, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
Cliff Claven said she was never in his kitchen…and what did it get Cliff to say that???
By Dave
April 10, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
“She’s never been in my house wearing pajamas, so she certainly wasn’t there that night in pajamas,” That’s a very lawyer-like answer. Dann doesn’t say that she’s never been in my condo “at night.” Dann doesn’t say that she’s never been in my condo “at night in her nightie.” Dann doesn’t say that she’s never been in my condo “at night wearing nothing at all.” He simply declares that she hasn’t been there at night wearing pajamas. That’s reassuring. For a minute I thought he had a problem!
By mike
April 10, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
Rob You must not read the DDN. It is only on the FRONT PAGE.
By LEO
April 10, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
Dann is a lousy AG. He protects his colleagues when they screw up and they will protect him too.
By Rob
April 10, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
Just think how much trouble Dann would be in if he were a Republican. The DDN would have a daily editorial calling for his dismissal. But the DDN protects their own and is burying the story.
By gd9100
April 10, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
“Dann asked two senior attorneys within his office to investigate the matter and handle any discipline. Both attorneys serve at his pleasure.”
Really! The public will surely get a non-biased investigation with these guys looking into it.
By Shirley
April 10, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
Dann said, “And if it’s true, I want to make sure that appropriate discipline is taken as it relates to everybody involved.” Sounds like he’s admitting his guilt, and wants to blame the victims. This guy should have the book thrown at him, hard!
By Shirley
April 10, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
Dann said, “And if it’s true, I want to make sure that appropriate discipline is taken as it relates to everybody involved.” Sounds like he’s admitting his guilt, and wants to blame the victims. This guy should have the book thrown at him, hard!
By parental
April 10, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this
Marc Dann is the Ohio version of Eliot Spitzer. He’s a bully, and apparently feels that the laws don’t apply to him. Spitzer got what he deserved, Dann will too. A good man like Gov Strickland should not keep Dann around to harm his administration. It’s time for Dann to go.
By concerned
April 10, 2008 7:29 AM | Link to this
just another case of overpaid government people who do lots of play and very little work.