Republican Candidate for Illinois Governor Denies Being Gay; Is Sued For Sexual Harrassment by Male Staffer

From Freakout Nation

Republican candidate for Gov: I was not being gay with that man. We were double-bunking to save money
February 12, 2014

Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford, an unmarried 58-year-old and Republican candidate for governor, regularly stayed overnight in hotels and a Chicago apartment with his executive assistant, The Chicago Tribune reported on Wednesday. But he can explain all of that.
Rutherford told the Tribune that he has shared a room with his executive assistant, Joshua Lanning, scores of times since taking office in 2011, to save money for his campaign fund. And we totally believe him.

Here [attached photo] is Rutherfod saving money on the beach and not being gay with Lanning.

Rutherford said, “We double-bunk in the campaign. We always double-bunk when we can. Totally as a cost-saving measure.”

Being a good fiscal Conservative, Rutherford shared a room with Lanning at least 50 times between 2011 and mid-2012. During that same time, the two also shared hotel rooms at least a half-dozen times while traveling on state business, including overnights in Chicago, Bloomingdale and Danville, and billed the state, according to records.

In 2011, Ed Michalowski, a former top manager in the office, claimed in federal court that Rutherford made unwanted sexual advances toward him beginning in early 2011.

Rutherford was sued in federal court on Monday by Michalowski, who accused the treasurer of repeatedly sexually harassing him and pressuring him to do campaign work at taxpayer expense. The ex-employee is seeking damages, including for medical issues he said were caused by the alleged harassment.

Rutherford tried to explain the expenses and accommodations to the Tribune saying, ”A constitutional officer travels overseas and has a staff member that accompanies them is not something that I think is inappropriate.”

He added, “There’s nothing wrong with being friends with employees. I consider myself friends with many in the office.”

Photo Image: Gawker