CHICAGO (AP) — Documents obtained by The Associated Press show three former Illinois employees are threatening to sue the state, claiming ex-Treasurer Dan Rutherford fired them for providing evidence in a sexual-harassment investigation that dismantled the Republican’s career.

Patrick Carlson, George Daglas, and Ashvin Lad want the state to provide back pay and clear their personnel records.
Current Treasurer Mike Frerichs has refused. But he has offered to not disclose to potential employers that the three were fired.

Rutherford fired them in July for falsifying records. Their attorney, James Vanzant, says Rutherford retaliated against them because they backed up statements by another ex-employee – Edmund Michalowksi – that Rutherford sexually harassed him.

Vanzant’s Hinsdale law firm also represents Michalowksi in an ongoing lawsuit that tanked Rutherford’s hopes to be governor.