COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The sexual harassment investigation inside the attorney general's office hit a snag as investigators search for phone messages from a member of Marc Dann's staff.

Investigators asked the state's Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation to examine the Blackberry used by Director of General Services Anthony Gutierrez, NBC 4's Patrick Preston reported.

Complaints made by Vanessa Stout and Cindy Stankowski allege repeated sexual harassment by Gutierrez. Gutierrez shared a townhome in Dublin with Dann and Communications Director Leo Jennings, who was suspended earlier this week.

Gutierrez was placed on administrative leave in early April.

They're trying to retrieve messages that may relate to the sexual harassment allegations against Gutierrez by two female staffers. But the initial attempts to access the Blackberry have failed - the device is locked up.

And the question is, will any data be lost? The attorney general's office said no -- and that any messages will be retrieved and examined.

But the attempt is a setback for time -- as the investigation will now take longer.

NBC 4 asked the attorney general's office if Gutierrez is cooperating with the investigation, but no response has been received.

Stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for additional information.

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