Doa Ana County Commissioners approve restrictions against treasurer they hope resigns

Dona Ana County commissioners are taking more action against embattled County Treasurer David Gutierrez.

Just last month, Gutierrez reached a settlement in a sexual harassment lawsuit, where he admitted to offering an employee money for sex.

Gutierrez has refused to resign.

The county censured him in 2014 but on Tuesday, commissioners voted to place him under more restrictions.

Those restrictions include: limiting the amount of time Gutierrez can be in the county building, denying him access to county vehicles and exploring the option of having him pay back the entire $68,000 from the sexual harassment lawsuit.

Originally the county only asked him to pay back $10,000, which was the county’s deductible on that claim.

The county attorney tells ABC-7 the remaining money comes from the county’s insurance pool, which covers liability issues including lawsuits.

ABC-7 asked to speak with Gutierrez at the treasurers office on Tuesday.

While he was in his office, an employee said he chose not to comment. But llater, another employee handed ABC-7’s Jamie Warren a letter from Guiterrez that blamed commissioners for violating the code of conduct and questioned whether they even had the authority to censure him. The letter did not address any details about the sexual harassment lawsuit.

County Manager Julia Brown said the county has exhausted all efforts when it comes to trying to recall Gutierrez and they will continue to push for a resignation.