Dann aide tried to rescind resignation

By STEPHEN ORAVECZ Tribune Chronicle
The employee who had an affair with former Attorney General Marc Dann tried to withdraw her resignation and has threatened to sue the office.

The Attorney Generalás Office released e-mail messages Friday from Jessica Utovich, Dannás former scheduler, seeking clarification about her job status and other documents. On two occasions, Utovich objected to her treatment and in one message, claims the office was retaliating against her for the affair.

Attempts to contact Utovich were unsuccessful, and a message seeking comment was left with the Attorney Generalás Office.

First Assistant Attorney General Thomas R. Winters announced May 2 that Utovich had resigned effective May 8. That was the day Winters and Executive Assistant Attorney General Ben Espy announced three top aides had lost their jobs due to the sexual harassment scandal that led to Dannás resignation this week.

At 9:45 p.m. that night, Utovich sent an e-mail message saying Dann had verbally agreed to let her stay on the job. The message went to several officials, including Winters, Epsy, Dann and Paula L. Paoletti, interim chief of staff.

It reads in part, "Yesterday afternoon, I resigned from my position. This came after a promised conversation did not occur. After talking with various members of the office ä including Marc, who expressed that he did not want me to resign ä I made the decision to rescind my resignation."

Utovich said in the message that she had talked to Patrick McLean, chief financial officer, who told her that if Dann had OK'd her decision to stay, that would overrule Winters' statement that she had quit.

Referring to someone she did not name, Utovich wrote, "He (Marc) apparently stated `its (sic) fine and she'll be getting another job, someone will call her. That Tom `had Marc in a situation' and Marc couldnát do anything."

On May 7, Paoletti informed Utovich that despite a conversations she had about staying on the job, her resignation "was effective upon receipt."

Utovich responded, "Thank you and I will take this matter up with my attorneys. As I did officially rescind my resignation to the highest authority in the office, and it was verbally communicated that it was accepted."

Utovich added, "I am appalled by the treatment shown to me, as over the past five months, I have been nothing but loyal and a hard worker. Iám not proud of my actions in my personal life, but do not deserve to be retaliated for them by the office."

Utovich went through routine exit procedures prior to her last day of work. However, on her employee exit questionnaire, a statement on the bottom is blacked out. The attorney general's office released a sworn statement from Douglas P. Harvey, deputy finance director, that he redacted the statement at Utovichás request.

In an addendum, the office states the redacted material can still be read on the original document. It says, "You work at the Attorney General's Office until its (sic) no longer convenient for them to let you work there. I had rescinded my resignation."



soravecz@tribune-chronicle.com