Mum’s the word in sexual harassment mediation

The Ohio Attorney General’s office has begun mediation proceedings with two women who were sexual harassed during the Marc Dann administration.

The internal investigation into the harassment eventually led to Dann’s May 14 resignation as well as the firing of two administrators and the forced resignation of the office’s chief of staff. Since Dann’s resignation, about a half-dozen other administrators have quit.

With the mediation beginning Tuesday, the attorney general’s office issued a statement today on behalf of all the parties involved in the matter.

It reads: “Mediations are strictly confidential. This one is still in process. No information will be provided by any party, counsel or the mediator until it is concluded.”

The results of an internal attorney general’s office investigation determined that Anthony Gutierrez, the office’s director of general services, had sexually harassed two female subordinates, Vanessa Stout and Cindy Stankoski.

Stout and Stankoski, who still work at the office, are seeking $400,000 each and $100,000 in attorney fees.

For the complete story, read Thursday’s Vindicator or vindy.com