Prosecutor sees quick resolution of allegations against Gutierrez

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien is optimistic that by the end of the month he’ll get to the bottom of allegations of misconduct by Anthony Gutierrez while he was a department head in former Attorney General Marc Dann’s administration.

The Ohio Elections Commission found today that Gutierrez violated state election laws, said Phil Richter, its executive director.

Gutierrez served as Dann’s director of general services. The violation, which was brought to the commission by the Ohio inspector general, is that Gutierrez improperly took $5,000 from Dann’s campaign committee.

Today, the commission referred the violation to O’Brien’s office to be presented to a Franklin County grand jury investigating potential illegal activity at the attorney general’s office during Dann’s 17-month administration.

The Ohio Ethics Commission also alleges misdemeanor or ethics violations by Gutierrez, including using state equipment and resources to operate his private business, hiding the fact he owned the business from state officials, and receiving the $5,000 from Dann’s campaign fund through “deception.” O’Brien’s office also is investigating those allegations.

Three sources close to the investigation say Gutierrez plans to accept a plea agreement that would reduce the charges. He would also cooperate with the investigation by providing information on others who may have committed illegal acts at the attorney general’s office under Dann’s watch, the sources say.

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