COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Target 4's Patrick Preston pored over thousands of e-mails exchanged by Attorney General Marc Dann and his scheduler.

The question: Did the state's top attorney know about alleged sexual harassment involving one of his top aides?

Two female workers filed a harassment complaint against Director of General Services Anthony Gutierrez late last month.

One of the women said she passed out at the townhome that Gutierrez, Dann and Spokesperson Leo Jennings shared during a night of drinking with Gutierrez. She said she woke up with her pants unbuttoned, and Gutierrez was in his underwear beside her. 

Did Dann discuss the events with Jessica Utovich, his scheduler? Utovich reportedly was there during the night in question.

The messages between Dann and Utovich depict a casual and friendly working relationship.

After searching through roughly 2,200 emails exchanged between September and November of 2007 Preston could not find a single reference to Vanessa Stout or Cindy Stankoski, the two women who filed the complaint.

Lawyers from the attorney general's office redacted (or edited) dozens of e-mails with black marker. In other words, some portions of the e-mails were labeled privileged and confidential.

The markings cover up discussions of legal cases, personal cell phone numbers and information on Dann's kids but not sexual harassment.

The e-mails also show both Dann and Utovich were familiar with open public records policy. Utovich and Dann often ask the other to call to speak on the phone.

In two cases, Utovich wrote that she didn't want to write certain subject matters down in print.

Dann said Utovich came over to his Dublin condo to give him hard copies of his schedule.

The e-mails demonstrate Dann's desire to have his schedule faxed, e-mailed or delivered directly to him.

NBC 4 has requested internal e-mails from several other staffers, including the two women alleging sexual harassment and the supervisor they've accused.

State investigators said Tuesday they expect to wrap up the report by the end of next week.

Stay tuned to NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for more information on this developing story.

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

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