An investigator hired by then-state Treasurer Dan Rutherford to review a former employee's allegations of sexual harassment by the one-time gubernatorial hopeful found no evidence of harassment or retaliation.
The former employee, Edmund Michalowski, levied the allegation in February 2014 lawsuit, detonating Rutherford's hopes to be the Republican nominee for governor.
A review by Ron Braver & Associates says interviews, travel vouchers, and text messages don't corroborate Michalowski's claims that he endured Rutherford's unwanted sexual advances and was passed over for promotions or raises.
Michalowski's attorney, Dana Kurtz, says her client and other young men were being harassed and he wanted it to stop. She says it's "absurd" to think Michalowski's intent was to derail Rutherford or extort money.
