County Treasurer’s removal sparks conversation over sexual harassment

The removal of embattled Dona Ana County Treasurer David Gutierrez has sparked a conversation about sexual harassment in the workplace.

County Manager Julia Brown told ABC-7 Gutierrez’s removal sends a message, not only to employees, but elected officials. The behavior will not be tolerated, Brown said.

Wednesday, a jury found Gutierrez guilty of corruption or gross immorality by a public official after he allegedly admitted to offering an employee a thousand dollars for sex in 2014.

It didn’t take long for the treasurer’s office to make changes following Wednesday’s verdict.

ABC-7 was there as Gutierrez’s name was peeled off his office door. A plaque with his name and title was also removed, less then 24 hours after a jury found him guilty of gross immorality.

Since 2008, Gutierrez had not attended county offered sexual harassment training. As an elected official ,he is not mandated to attend training. Only employees are mandated to attend when they are hired.

Gutierrez attended training once during his first 2 terms in 1996-2004, county officials said. Gutierrez served as county treasurer for nearly 16 years over four terms. His first stint in office was from 1996 to 2004. His second stint in office was from 2008 to 2016.

In February, county commissioners censured Gutierrez and called for his resignation, but they had no authority to remove him because he was an elected official.

Thursday, commissioner Billy Garrett said he’s filled with gratitude, saying Gutierrez’s removal sends a strong message sexual harassment is not acceptable in Dona Ana County.

“It doesn’t matter how high you are in the organization, if you are involved in sexual harassment it is not okay,” Garrett said.

“There is no one who is above the law. This is not acceptable behavior. It’s not right it’s not appropriate and Dona Ana County is not that place that is going to tolerate that kind of inappropriate behavior,” Brown said.