Former Commerce Official Alleges Harassment, Retaliation

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A former top official at Minnesota's Department of Commerce is suing the state, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation.

Timothy Vande Hey filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging the agency's Deputy Commissioner, Anne O'Connor, made unwanted sexual advances and comments to him during his time at the department. Vande Hey joined the agency in 2012 and resigned last summer. He most recently served as its deputy commissioner of insurance, overseeing health companies and policies sold on MNsure.

Vande Hey also alleges O'Connor ordered some departmental documents be destroyed - a possible violation of state law. He says department Commissioner Mike Rothman ignored him when he raised concerns.

Rothman dismissed the allegations as "simply false" in a statement. The department declined an interview request with O'Connor.