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Should Attorney General Marc Dann step down?
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2 Fired In AG Office Investigation
 
Friday, May 02, 2008 - 08:19 AM Updated: 05:47 PM
 
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Anthony Gutierrez (left), Leo Jennings (right)
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By Donna Willis

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- An internal investigation into Attorney General Marc Dann's office now has lead to two terminations and two resignations, NBC 4 reported.

The investigation recommended Director of General Services Anthony Gutierrez be terminated because of what it called harassment of employees, improperly fraternizing, threatening subordinates and recklessly and improperly using state property. Gutierrez was terminated.

The investigation determined Director of Communications Leo Jennings improperly interfered with the investigation in a way that was in violation with office policy. Jennings was terminated as well.

Ed Simpson, chief of Policy and Administration, was determined to have failed to properly supervise and manage Gutierrez and Jennings. Simpson resigned Thursday night.

Dann's scheduler, Director of Travel Services, Jessica Utovich, also resigned on Thursday, effective May 8.

PHOTOS: Click On Gallery Above To View The Key Players In The Investigation

Dann said he is taking full responsibility for the hostile work environment under his watch and for having an affair with a staffer. But full responsibility doesn't include resigning.

"At a difficult time in my marriage, I got involved in a romantic relationship with a member of my staff. That conduct was intrinsically wrong," he said. "It's been horrible and painful and I've wanted the opportunity to speak out about this."

MORE: Dann Admits To Romantic Relationship With Staff Member

Gutierrez was accused of sexually harassing two female employees -- Cindy Stankoski and Vanessa Stout.

The allegations from Stankoski focus on the night of Sept. 10 and the events she claimed took place at the Dublin townhome shared by Dann, Jennings and Gutierrez.

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

Later that evening, Stankoski said, Dann persuaded her by phone to come to the townhome.

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.

BACKGROUND: Timeline Of Events
WEB POLL: Should Dann Resign? Cast Your Vote To The Right
YOUR THOUGHTS: Scroll Down To Post Your Comments
CAUTION: THE COMPLAINTS BELOW INCLUDE STRONG LANGUAGE.
STANKOSKI COMPLAINT: Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
STOUT COMPLAINT: Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Complaint Explanation
| Letter Regarding Documents

The 58-page investigation report showed there was a lot of drinking, Hawaiian pizza and bragging by Gutierrez on the night of Sept. 10.

Investigators said Dann exercised poor judgement by allowing Stankoski to come to his home for drinks and pizza when it was obvious she was drunk. No arrangements were made to get her home safely.

Utovich was at the shared condo on the same night. Assistant Attorney General Ben Espy said that Utovich was not in pajamas that night, as alleged, but was wearing sweats.

The report does not determine whether Stankoski's pants were undone during the night in question.

Investigators said they did not assume the role of "moral police" -- although there were rumors of affairs between management and female subordinates -- and said it was not their responsibility to investigate the accuracy of those rumors. Investigators were positive those rumors were fueled by the actions of a very few people and members of their families.

Other operational moves in the next 90 days will include an interim chief of Policy and Administration. The office also will conduct a complete and thorough review of management structure, including the possible use of outside experts to review policies related to the use of state-owned office equipment and creating a new position to be filled by an attorney with expertise in ethics, employment and public contract law.

The women's attorneys said they are pleased with the investigation and said they don't think their clients will appeal.

At the same time, Stankoski and Stout said they did not get the apology they were looking for from Dann. They believe he knew more than he has let on.

"It's been a very difficult process for them and if the attorney general was truly remorseful, they expected him to look into the camera and tell them how sorry he was that this happened to them," said attorney Rex Elliot.

DOCUMENTS: Investigation Findings | Exhibits
INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTS: Stout 1 | Stout 2 | Stankoski 1 | Stankoski 2 | Gutierrez | Dann 1 | Dann 2 | Utovich | Jennings | Saxton | Rosol | Polster | Miller | Mash | Haske | Ford | Demers | Botts | August | Armbrust | Urban | Taylor | Smedlund | Simpson 1 | Simpson 2 | Chapple | Aranda

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.

PREVIOUS STORIES:
April 29, 2008: Ohio Attorney General's Office Considering New E-mail Policy
April 29, 2008: Did Accuser In AG Investigation Get Job Because Of Car Crash?
April 25, 2008: Scandal Reveals Lack Of Restraint At State Office
April 24, 2008: Patrol Investigates If State Vehicle Were Crashed
April 22, 2008: Police: Criminal Charges Will Not Be Filed Against State Aide
April 22, 2008: NBC 4 Investigates Attorney General's Inbox
April 21, 2008: NBC 4 Awaits E-mails From Attorney General's Office
April 18, 2008: Criminal Complaint Filed In AG Investigation
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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