A federal judge has ruled that allegations of sexual harassment against former Illinois state Treasurer Dan Rutherford can go to trial over the objections of state lawyers.
U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow issued an order in Chicago Friday denying the state's attempt to dismiss the claims by former Rutherford employee Edmund Michalowski.
Michalowski's allegations that Rutherford made unwanted sexual advances sunk the Republican Rutherford's aspirations to be governor. He filed his lawsuit in February 2014, just weeks before Rutherford, a viable candidate, finished fourth in the GOP primary.
Dana Kurtz is Michalowski's attorney. She said in a statement that her client is pleased by the decision and looks forward to telling his side in court.
