Lawyer Says More Claims May Be Made Against Rutherford

The Republican race for the Illinois gubernatorial nomination continues to swirl around state treasurer Dan Rutherford and allegations filed by an employee.

NBC 5's MaryAnn Ahern reports that part of the allegations deal with the employee being asked to do campaign work on state time, and Rutherford has also acknowledged that harassment is also part of the pending complaint.

The employee, described as a high-ranking executive, has hired attorney Christine Svenson. Svenson told WLS Radio Monday that more claims may be filed against Rutherford this week.

The GOP candidates -- Rutherford, Bruce Rauner and state Sens. Kirk Dillard and Bill Brady -- met together with the Chicago Tribune editorial board Monday.

Rutherford insists that Rauner is behind the allegations of misconduct.

"It's ridiculous, but again, this is politics. Dan attacked me last week with allegations that I know nothing about and had nothing to do with," Rauner told the editorial board.

Rutherford denies that the controversy is bad for his campaign.

"The phones are going off the hook. It's like, 'You're good, you're alright, hang in there," Rutherford said.

Rauner is also facing personal questions as well, such as whether he used his relationship with then-CPS CEO Arne Duncan to get his daughter into Walter Payton Prep.

"At no time did we ask for a special deal, or special treatment or a special favor for our daughter. We got her name on the list just like hundreds of other parents get their children on the list," Rauner said.

Rutherford is also facing questions about his international travel -- 32 days in the past three years -- and whether he shared a hotel room with a staffer.

"Not on the international travel. On the campaign, we do have our staff at times double occupy, and that's just standard operating procedure," Rutherford said.

The other candidates appear content to sit back and let the ugliness play itself out.

"When other Republican candidates for governor look dysfunctional, I think it does help me," Dillard said.

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