Illinois state Treasurer and GOP gubernatorial candidate Dan Rutherford on Jan. 31 said one of his opponents, venture capitalist Bruce Rauner, has been involved in trying to "shake him down" for $300,000, chicagonow.com reported.
At a Jan. 31 press conference, Rutherford was vague about Rauner's allegations, but late Friday, Fox 32 said that they involved claims that he had been sexually harassing a male employee in the Treasurer's office, and that the employee was being forced to work on outside political activity on the government's time.
Chicagonow.com said that the employee is still at the Treasurer's office and had been friends with Rutherford for several years. They also reported that he and Rutherford's office have been involved with an out-of-court settlement over the allegations. Nevertheless, he denied those allegations at the press conference.
"Let me make this very clear, there is absolutely no truth to the allegations. No factual support or merit," Rutherford said.
He said that at the conference that Chicago attorney Christine Svenson, who is representing the accuser, offered to "walk away and keep it under wraps" for a payment of $300,000. He also said that Svenson has done work for Rauner.
Rauner's campaign reported paying her firm $3,500 in July 2013, but maintains that it was to review an office lease the previous April, according to Chicago Sun-Times.
"It is important at the onset that I make clear that I have nothing to do with the Bruce Rauner campaign other than a brief piece of legal work that I did for them last year: the negotiation and review of a single office lease," Svenson said in a statement.
Mike Schrimpf, a spokesman for Rauner, told the Chicago Sun-Times, "Treasurer Rutherford should spend his time answering the serious claims made against him by a state employee, rather than trying to distract attention with false claims against us."
Rutherford has long been the subject of rumors about his sexuality. In an August 2013 interview with Windy City Times, he was asked how he defined his orientation.
"I am not gay," Rutherford answered.
He supported civil unions but not gay marriage, he added. "I think that there's a lot of things evolving out there. I think that when the Supreme Court ruled, and this is a matter-of-fact accounting sensitivity … but I think that did add a component with regards to the tax situation."
He also said that he has tried to keep actively engaged with the LGBT community.
"I've been when I'm invited," Rutherford said. "Equality Illinois has their reception in Springfield. I'll go to that. They hosted receptions and Republican National Conventions before. I'll go to that. There's an annual gala. I've been to it, I haven't recently, but I've been to it. I haven't been in the gay Pride Parade but I've been to the elected officials' reception prior to it. I'll go where I'm invited and be there."
The Windy City Times interview can be read at: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/GOP-gubernatorial-candidate-talks-LGBT-support/43998.html .
Chicagonow.com's story can be read at: www.chicagonow.com/public-affairs-with-jeff-berkowitz/2014/01/a-public-affairs-exclusive-treasurer-rutherford-accused-by-a-male-employee-of-sexual-harassment-and-improper-use-of-state-employee-time-for-political-purposes/ .
Chicago Sun-Times' story can be read at: www.suntimes.com/25299488-761/attorney-for-rutherford-employee-allegations-are-serious-and-real.html .
