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Criminal Complaint Filed In AG Investigation
 
Friday, Apr 18, 2008 - 05:04 PM Updated: 07:17 PM
 
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By Denise Yost

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Sexual harassment allegations against a top administrator in the attorney general's office are in the hands of the Columbus Division of Police.

A 26-year-old staffer filed a criminal complaint on Friday as the state's investigation into the claims of two women continues, NBC 4's Patrick Preston reported.

The criminal complaint, filed by Cindy Stankoski, focuses on the night of Sept. 10 and the events Stankoski alleges took place at the Dublin townhome shared by Attorney General Marc Dann and two of his employees.

Stankoski said she was pressured by her supervisor, Anthony Gutierrez, to go out for drinks.

Later that evening, Stankoski said, Dann persuaded her by phone to come to the townhome he shared with Gutierrez and Communications Director Leo Jennings.

Jennings was suspended from his position on Monday for unknown reasons, but related to the sexual harassment investigation. Gutierrez was also placed on paid administrative leave in early April.

Stankoski said she fell asleep and woke up with her pants unbuttoned and Gutierrez lying next to her in his underwear.

She said he later admitted that he unbuttoned her pants and told her that he had wanted to have sex with her.

Columbus attorney Mark Collins represents Stankoski and said that his client, "felt it was a moral, personal and legal obligation for her to file a legal complaint."

On the criminal complaint, police wrote "not a crime" under the category of disposition. NBC 4 asked a sexual assault detective to clarify what that mean. In his words, it meant, it's probably not a crime.

Another allegation from Stankoski centers on the morning of Oct. 3, when, she said, Gutierrez arrived at work reeking of alcohol and with vomit caked on his nose. Stankoski said Gutierrez told her he was so drunk he fell asleep behind the wheel of a state vehicle, hit a guard rail and woke up.

NBC 4 investigated and the attorney general's office released vehicle records on Friday that indicated on Oct. 10, Gutierrez brought a state vehicle in for repair and painting. The vehicle needed repair on its right front fender, right front door, right rear door, right rear quarter panel, left rear door and left rear quarter panel.

The attorney general's office said that if Gutierrez ever filed a damage report or an incident report, workers can't find it.

NBC 4 is expecting the attorney general's office to begin releasing e-mails between Dann and various members of his staff as early as Friday evening.

The civil attorney for the female staffers said investigators want to question the women again on Tuesday.

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

To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail us at stories@nbc4i.com.

PREVIOUS STORIES:
April 17, 2008: Investigators Search For State Employee's Phone Messages
April 16, 2008: Officials Release Sexual Harassment Complaints
April 15, 2008: NBC 4 Gets Details In AG's Office Sexual Harassment Claim
April 14, 2008: 2nd Top Administrator Placed On Leave
April 7, 2008: State Employee On Leave Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

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