Dann’s office agrees to release e-mails

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

COLUMBUS —Attorney General Marc Dann’s office has agreed conditionally to release e-mails requested by The Dispatch between Dann and his scheduler, Jessica Utovich.

The public-records request seeks three months of e-mails between Dann and Utovich, who has been reassigned.

Last week, the attorney general’s office placed Anthony Gutierrez, 50, on paid leave after The Dispatch published allegations that he sexually harassed Cindy Stankoski and Vanessa Stout. The women, both 26, worked in the general services section supervised by Gutierrez, who is paid $87,500 as head of general services and is one of Dann’s Youngstown friends.

Stankoski reported seeing Utovich, 28, in pajamas or sweats in the condo shared by Leo Jennings, who was suspended Monday, Gutierrez and Dann on a night when Gutierrez is alleged to have made unwanted advances toward Stankoski.

Dann’s office had asserted Friday that the records request is too broad and would not be granted. Yesterday, lawyers in the office said they will provide the records, but they did not say when.

Under state law, public offices must disclose e-mails and other records that relate to the official business of the office, with some exceptions such as pending litigation.