Prosecutor consolidating Gutierrez charges

COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Multiple allegations against Anthony Gutierrez, longtime friend of former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann, are being consolidated in the hands of Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien, pointing to a possible quick court date in the case.

O’Brien, Gutierrez and his attorney, Sam Amendolara, filed a joint request with the Ohio Elections Commission asking that an elections law complaint against Gutierrez be referred to O’Brien’s office. The commission is scheduled to take up the matter at a meeting Thursday.

The parties said the request was made “in the interests of judicial economy” so the elections complaint can be considered at the same time as alleged misdemeanor and felony offenses previously referred to O’Brien by Ohio Inspector General Thomas P. Charles and the Ohio Ethics Commission.

Gutierrez waived his right to an evidentiary hearing by the elections commission. Gutierrez and O’Brien’s office are reportedly working on a plea arrangement that could bring the former Dann aide quickly to court.

Gutierrez was fired last year as the first wave of a sexual harassment and mismanagement scandal rolled over Dann’s office. Gutierrez has since been accused of misappropriating money from Dann’s political campaign fund, improperly using state vehicles, and other violations.

Dann resigned under pressure May 14, after spending just 17 months as attorney general, as a result of fallout from the scandal and ensuing investigation.