Memo to Dann: Do More

I'm an admirer of what Attorney General Marc Dann stands for and what he has already accomplished in his official capacity, but I'm appalled at the poor judgment he has shown in his hiring decisions. As to the latest and growing scandal concerning sexual harassment complaints against a subordinate with long personal ties to Dann, I'm with Joseph of Plunderbund -- Dann needs to do a thorough house-cleaning. And, I think he needs to send this investigation outside the department to some independent person or entity.

During his campaign in 2006, I heard Dann say on more than one occasion that he wanted us -- his supporters -- to hold him to the highest standard of conduct while in office. Although the charges are directed against subordinates rather than Dann himself, I think the time has come to hold Dann to the spirit of his statement. He should exert himself to take every conceivable precaution to avoid the appearance of impropriety. Merely saying (as his spokesman has) that these kind of allegations are taken "incredibly seriously" is not enough. Dann should take incredibly serious steps to root out the problem.

To recap the story, two female employees filed sexual harassment complaint against General Services Director Anthony Gutierrez, a long-time friend of Dann's. The allegations include the charge that Gutierrez pressured one of the women to go for drinks after work, then brought her (at Dann's invitation) to a condominium then shared by Gutierrez, Dann, and another long-time associate, Communications Director Leo Jennings (where Dann was present), and while the complainant was inebriated and unconscious in a bedroom Gutierrez allegedly engaged in inappropriate touching, if not criminal sexual assault.

It doesn't stop there. The complainants allege that the EEO officer handling the investigation engaged in behavior that smacks of trying to cover up the charges. And the allegations include the salacious detail that Scheduler Jessica Utovich was present in the condominium in pajamas, calling to mind reported rumors of an improper relationship between Dann and Utovich. That last bit is not the crux of the matter, but definitely cranks up the volume.

Dann has suspended Gutierrez with pay and has now transferred the investigation from the EEO officer to former state senator Ben Espy, who is a Special Assistant Attorney General, and Assistant Attorney General Julie Pfeiffer, who works in the employment law section. By one account they are to report their findings not to Dann but to First Assistant Attorney General Tom Winters.

Is it enough? Espy is a widely respected figure so if the investigation is to remain in the AG's office he is a good pick. However, the two investigators and the person to whom they will report all work for Dann. Given the explosive nature of the allegations, I suspect that an internal investigation will satisfy neither the complainants nor the public. To really cut through the scandal and apparent mismanagement and get the AG's office back onto a sound footing, more dramatic steps are needed. An independent investigator. More suspensions. Acknowledgment that poor hiring decisions have become a pattern, and that it will be reversed. Without such serious steps, there will not be a clean start.