COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A state employee from the Attorney General's office is at the center of some very serious allegations of sexual harassment. Now, the general services director is on administrative leave.

According to officials with the Ohio Attorney General's office, on March 27, two female employees sent e-mails to the equal employment opportunities office, alleging misconduct on the part of Director of General Services Anthony Gutierrez, NBC 4's Tom Brockman reported.

Officials in the AG's office would not provide the initial e-mails to NBC 4, but we were given subsequent e-mails between the employees and human resources, as part of the internal investigation.

Then, late Monday afternoon, Attorney General Marc Dann placed Gutierrez on leave, saying, "This action is consistent with our commitment to ensuring that the investigation proceeds in accordance with our established policies and procedures … That a complete record is created and that appropriate action is taken when it is concluded."

Officials in the office said an internal investigation began as soon as they learned of the e-mails.

The e-mails sparked the investigation, but officials with the attorney general's office said no formal complaint has been filed with the equal employment opportunities office, Brockman reported.

Officials would not comment further as to not risk the integrity of the investigation and the confidentiality of the people involved.

NBC 4 attempted to contact Gutierrez at his home late Monday afternoon, but he was unavailable for comment.

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