Jennings out, too, in harassment probe

Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann placed Leo Jennings III, his communications director and longtime friend, on paid administrative leave related to the ongoing investigation into the sexual harassment complaints of two female employees.

“This action comes as a result of new information received over the weekend,” according to a statement e-mailed today from Dann’s office. The e-mail didn’t provide details of that information.

Jennings makes about $102,000 annually.

The office won’t release the information until the investigation into the sexual harassment complaints is concluded, said Ted Hart, deputy communications director.

The information was given to someone at the attorney general’s office and passed along to Ben Espy, executive assistant attorney general, the senior attorney investigating sexual harassment complaints filed against Anthony S. Gutierrez, Hart said.

Dann, a Liberty Democrat, placed Gutierrez, his director of general services, on paid administrative leave on April 7, pending the outcome of the investigation. Gutierrez makes $87,500 annually.

Two female attorney general employees filed sexual harassment complaints against Gutierrez, 50, their boss, claiming he pressured them frequently to have sex.

Dann lived with Jennings and Gutierrez from February to December 2007 in a Dublin condominium. Dann moved out in December.

Jennings has declined to discuss if he was at the condo on Sept. 10, and any first-hand information he had on the matter.

For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com