Former whistleblower running for embattled county treasurer’s seat

The former deputy to Dona Ana County Treasurer David Gutierrez is speaking out now that she plans on taking over his position in the upcoming November election.

ABC-7 got a hold of a complaint that states Jill Johnson was forced to resign after blowing the whistle on misconduct by Gutierrez in 2011.

Johnson says her previous experience with Gutierrez at the treasurer’s office has prompted her to run for election.

But Johnson isn’t the only one to settle a lawsuit against the current county treasurer.

In a second lawsuit filedby a former employee, Gutierrez admitted to offering her money in exchange for sex. He was asked to resign, but refused. Gutierrez and the victim reached a settlement a few days ago.

“When somebody does things that should not be done, obvious things and they’re losing suits and they’re being censured by the commissioners there should be a way that we can oust them,” Johnson said.

According to thecomplaint filed in 2011, while working as his deputy, Johnson noticed Gutierrez had falsly submitted time card information for another employee at the treasurer’s office. When Johnson approached him, Gutierrez said no one would find out.The complaint also states Gutierrez didn’t like it when Johnson tried to enforce the rules. After a disagreement over a report written about his misconduct, Gutierrez asked Johnson to resign.

“I don’t want to see the past continued into the future,” Johnson said.

Johnson tells ABC-7 her past experience at the treasurer’s office has prompted her to run for county treasurer in the November election. She says she doesn’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable in the work environment like she did.

“There are codes of conduct for the employees and for the elected officials in this county,” Johnson said. “Those codes should be followed.”

Gutierrez has reached his term limit so he won’t be running again in November. Multiple attempts to reach Gutierrez for comment were unsuccessful