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FacebookDamage to state vehicle won't be probed
Anthony Gutierrez returned sport utility vehicle about the same time claims of sexual harassment came from female employee.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
COLUMBUS — Anthony Gutierrez turned in his state-owned SUV with unexplained damage on Oct. 10, roughly the same time frame that his employee, Cindy Stankoski, claims Gutierrez pressured her for sex and told her he got so drunk that he fell asleep at the wheel and awoke only when he hit a guardrail.
The 2004 Chevy Suburban came into the state shop needing repair to the right front fender, right front and rear doors, and right quarter panel.
Extras
Gutierrez, who managed the attorney general's vehicle fleet, did not fill out the required damage report, according to Ted Hart, a spokesman for Attorney General Marc Dann.
There also was damage to the left side of the SUV, but that is attributed to an intern who drove the car, Hart said.
Despite the apparent misuse of state property, the Ohio Highway Patrol is not investigating, Hart said.
The SUV driven by Gutierrez later became the "Sunshine Express," with flames painted on the sides and used by staff leading public records training seminars around the state.
Gutierrez, 50, is on paid leave from his $87,500-a-year job running the purchasing, maintenance and mailroom operations in Dann's office. He is accused of sexually harassing two 26-year-old junior employees, including Stankoski.
He is a close friend and neighbor of Dann and shared a suburban Columbus apartment with Dann and Communications Director Leo
Jennings III.
Meanwhile, Stankoski on Friday, April 18, filed a criminal complaint with Columbus police's sexual abuse squad, according to her attorneys. The complaint has to do with
Gutierrez taking her to the apartment Sept. 10, where Stankoski passed out drunk and later awoke to find her pants undone and Gutierrez next to her in his underwear.
The police department has not yet determined whether to file charges.
On Monday, Dann's office is expected to release thousands of
e-mails Dann exchanged with his then-scheduler, Jessica Utovich, 28. Utovich also was at the apartment that night with Dann.
Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1624 or
lbischoff@DaytonDailyNews.com.
