Labor leader says he cautioned Dann on hires

By RON SELAK JR. Tribune Chronicle
WARREN — Trumbull County labor leader Jim Graham said he cautioned Marc Dann on hiring two of his top aides when he took control of the Attorney General’s Office.

‘‘Unfortunately, not only myself, but a lot of other people told him the same thing,’’ Graham, United Auto Workers Local 1112, said Tuesday. ‘‘I said, ‘I hope I’m wrong, but sooner or later I think these guys are going to get you in trouble,’ and here we are.’’

Graham is speaking of former communications director Leo Jennings III and former General Services Department director Anthony Gutierrez, both let go after an investigation confirmed claims of sexual harassment by two women in the office.

Gutierrez was said to have harassed employees, threatened subordinates, improperly used state property and conducted personal business on state time. Jennings is said to have interfered with the investigation by asking another attorney to give false testimony.

‘‘Marc realizes now that he made a terrible mistake, a terrible mistake,’’ Graham said.

The investigation into the harassment allegations has resulted in Dann revealing he had an affair with an employee and Ohio Democrats and Republicans calling for him to resign or face impeachment proceedings.

Dann has said he is not leaving.

Gutierrez, when reached at his home Tuesday evening, declined to comment. He referred all questions to his attorney, Sam Amendolara, who could not be reached for comment. A message was left at his home. His work voicemail was full, according to the recording.

Jennings said he worked on the campaign to get Dann elected, but didn’t want a job in the office. It wasn’t until March, two months into the term, that Dann asked him if he wanted a job, Jennings said.

‘‘By any measure, I did an outstanding job for the attorney general and for the people of the state of Ohio,’’ Jennings said. ‘‘I’ve done nothing wrong and the statements by Mr. Graham are patently ridiculous.’’

Dann could not be reached for comment.

Graham, who said he thinks Dann should resign and ‘‘get his life back together,’’ said he doesn’t know how this scandal may affect future support from labor, which has been a big Dann backer. Campaign finance reports show Dann has been given thousands from labor unions around the state.

‘‘Marc has some other things he has to be worried about,’’ Graham said. ‘‘A lot of people put their faith in him and this Valley, he let them down, he let them down big time.’’

William Padisak, Mahoning/Trumbull AFL-CIO president, said decisions on political support are made at the state level.

A message seeking comment was left with Ohio AFL-CIO president Joe Rugola.

Mike O’Donnell, shop chairman of Local 1717 with the IUE-CWA, said he believes the scandal will affect Dann in the future.

‘‘I would think the right move would be for him to resign now,’’ O’Donnell said. ‘‘Based on his own statements in the press conference he put out last week, there was a lot more involved in the office than he thought. For the interest of the Democratic Party and the Valley, if those are his main concerns, it would be best if he resigned.’’

rselak@tribune-chronicle.com