Ohio: Overseas Trip, Ransacked Office, Bad for the Democrat Party
Last Updated on Thursday, 1 May 2008 01:40 Written by rslcpol Thursday, 1 May 2008 11:42
According to the Dayton Daily News, Dann’s scheduler planned to accompany him on his trip to Turkey. Note to Marc Dann: we suggest no trips anywhere without a male staffer – preferably either a priest or a parole officer – present. Just to be safe:
COLUMBUS — When Alyssa Lenhoff canceled plans to accompany her husband, Attorney General Marc Dann, on an international exchange trip to Turkey last June, Dann’s scheduler Jessica Utovich moved quickly to go on the trip.
Utovich called Don Parker at the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, which sponsored the exchange trip, from Washington, D.C., where she was trying to get a passport, said Powell Police Chief Gary Vest, past president of the association. Utovich needed Parker to confirm that she had a ticket to Turkey, Vest said.
SNS reader Skeptic pointed us to this story…After returning from her vacation, one of the AG office employees that filed the complaint found her office ransacked. Don’t they have a cleaning crew there in the Rhodes Building? What freelancing Marc Dann flunky (FMDF) thought trashing a key witness’s office would be a good idea? Oh wait – with the senior leadership in that office, trashing the girl’s office probably gets the perpetrator a pay raise. So, look for the pay raise dated right after the incident, and you find your FMDF. Probably BFFL with MD, AG, and LJ.
From Springfield News-Sun:
Cindy Stankoski returned from vacation to her job at Attorney General Marc Dann’s office on Wednesday, April 30, to find her desk ransacked, said her attorney Rex Elliott.
Stankoski, 26, filed a sexual harassment complaint against her boss, Anthony Gutierrez, who is Dann’s friend, neighbor and former roommate. The complaint triggered a tidal wave of bad publicity for Dann and an internal investigation that is expected to come out later this week.
The implications of this scandal could be far reaching – all the way to the race for the White House. At least one Editorial from the Herald Star says Dann “could hurt the Democratic Party”. After the 2008 elections are over, will national Democrats have a new scapegoat to blame instead of this guy?
The scandal plaguing Attorney General Marc Dann’s office is bigger than Attorney General Marc Dann.
Sexual harassment allegations levied against one of his closest friends and top employees, Anthony Gutierrez, are full of vile details about alcohol, contempt for civil behavior, lewdness and crudeness. One detail sums it up. One of the female employees who filed charges claims Gutierrez, after a night of drunkenness, showed up for work the next day smelling of booze and with vomit caked on his nose.
Another Dann confidante and chief spokesman, Leo Jennings, is suspended for his involvement in the scandal but Dann, contrary to his campaign pledge and prior advocacy, is keeping that a secret.
Whether or not this ends Dann’s political career is small potatoes compared to the damage it could inflict on the Democratic presidential nominee.
Hmmmm!!! Wonder if Mrs. Dann knew who her replacement was going to be before she canceled per plans to travel overseas.
An article appeared in the Columbus Dispatch on May 1st that really bothered me and prompted me to write an anonymous response to the Editor, but because I did not want to give my name and telephone number, I don’t expect it to be printed. Therefore, I wanted to post my response in this forum because I feel very strongly that this young woman was a victim, and hopefully her bravery and determination will encourage other women who are being sexually harassed in their workplace to come forward and not be intimidated and afraid to do so. I hope you post it. Thank you.
——————-Original article in Columbus Dispatch————–
Victim of harassment didn’t use good sense
I abhor sexual harassment. I have been a victim and know how devastating it can be.
Nonetheless, I find it difficult to muster much sympathy for Cindy Stankoski, an employee of the state attorney general’s office. I can’t imagine going drinking with my harasser, no matter how much pressure was exerted. If somehow I found myself in that situation, I wouldn’t have drunk to the point of intoxication, gone home with him, consumed more alcohol and decided to pass out on his bed.
Even a victim must exert common sense.
LEE TAYLOR – Reynoldsburg
——————–My Response is below—————————
Dear Editor
I choose to remain anonymous on this and, having said that, I’m not even sure you will print this in your paper, but I would like to respond to the woman that believes the victim of harassment didn’t use good sense.
I’ve worked in the corporate world for over 30 years and supported men in high and powerful positions – presidents, vice presidents, etc. I too was harassed many years ago in my work place, but back then we didn’t have the laws we have now to protect us from such behavior of the men that hold these high and powerful positions.
I totally disagree with your comments. This woman was not harassed by just anyone, she was harassed by the Attorney General’s best friend, his confidant, his roommate, and a person in a powerful position within the administration. This young lady was new to the department, she was pressured by this man who had made his power known, and ultimately invited to the condo of the Attorney General by the Attorney General himself. How intimidating is that???, especially when you are new and all you have seen in that short time frame is a “party-type office environment” as it has been described in many recent articles. Oh, and who is to say that something wasn’t slipped in one of her drinks? I know it would be very hard to prove at this point, but who knows? It happens all the time these days.
Also, I didn’t read anywhere that she decided to pass out on his bed, I read that she felt ill and asked to lay down and she was directed to the bedroom while, I may add, the Attorney General was present. And one more thing: if she told everyone there she felt ill, why didn’t anyone (especially the Attorney General) attempt to see how she was doing a few hours later? I’m sorry, but all I feel is sympathy for this young lady and all I can say is she is one brave woman to come forward and tell her story. Many women would not have the courage for fear of retaliation; and from the most recent article in the paper about her desk being ransacked while she was on vacation, that’s exactly what’s happening.
Anonymous
5/1/2008
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