Gutierrez pleaded not guilty to 10 charges that he used state computers and time for his private construction business, lied on workers'-compensation and financial-disclosure forms, and tapped Dann's campaign account to cover personal expenses.

Gutierrez, 51, could face a maximum of eight years in prison and $20,000 in fines.

He spoke in a firm voice when Judge Timothy S. Horton of Franklin County Common Pleas Court asked him to enter his plea to all the charges: "Not guilty."

Shortly after taking office in 2007, Dann hired Gutierrez, a Youngstown-area neighbor and family friend, to supervise his office's vehicle fleet, purchasing, mailroom, telecommunication and other support services.

Dann, Gutierrez and Dann's spokesman Leo Jennings III maintained their Youngstown-area homes while sharing a condo near Dublin that figured into the scandal that cut short Dann's career and led to the charges against Gutierrez.

Two female subordinates accused Gutierrez of sexually harassing them, and the office's handling of their complaints revealed a culture of favoritism, misogyny and unprofessional behavior. Dann resigned last May after admitting that he had been unprepared to be attorney general and that he had engaged in an extramarital affair with a subordinate.

Investigatory documents last year depicted Gutierrez as swaggering at work. Yesterday, he was subdued during his brief appearance in Horton's courtroom. He wore a gray suit and said nothing beyond entering his plea. He declined to talk with reporters.

His Columbus attorney, Karl Schneider, also declined to comment.

Gutierrez is free on a $100,000 bond and is expected to stand trial in four to six weeks.

Neither Dann nor any of his other former associates have been charged with crimes relating to Dann's term in office. However, Dann is scheduled to appear June 11 at the Ohio Elections Commission to face allegations that he used campaign funds for personal purposes.

Paul Nick, chief investigative attorney for the Ohio Ethics Commission, said the investigation will continue beyond Gutierrez's day in court.

jnash@dispatch.com

ajohnson@dispatch.com