Showing posts with label sexual harassment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sexual harassment. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 06, 2017

Conyers resigns from Congress amid harassment allegations

Democratic Rep. John Conyers resigned from Congress on Tuesday after a nearly 53-year career, becoming the first Capitol Hill politician to lose his job in the torrent of sexual misconduct allegations sweeping through the nation’s workplaces.

The 88-year-old civil rights leader and longest-serving member of the House announced what he referred to as his “retirement” on Detroit talk radio, while continuing to deny he groped or sexually harassed women who worked for him.

“My legacy can’t be compromised or diminished in any way by what we’re going through now,” said the congressman, who called into the radio show from the hospital where he was taken last week after complaining of lightheadedness. “This, too, shall pass. My legacy will continue through my children.”

Saturday, December 02, 2017

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver: John Conyers will make the 'right decision' and step down

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) predicted on Saturday that Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) would make "the right decision" and resign in the face of sexual misconduct allegations.

"I can tell you that John Conyers right now, at this very moment as we are on this air, is contemplating his future and his legacy," Cleaver, a Congressional Black Caucus member, said on Fox News.

"And I can almost assure you that John Conyers is going to make what I would think is the right decision for his own legacy, and that is to step down and try to enjoy the rest of his life," he added.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Friday, November 24, 2017

John Conyers statement on sexual harassment allegations

Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich) has released the following statement regarding sexual harassment allegations made against him:

“I have long been and continue to be a fierce advocate for equality in the workplace and I fully support the rights of employees who believe they have been harassed or discriminated against to assert claims against their employers. That said, it is important to recognize that the mere making of an allegation does not mean it is true. The process must be fair to both the employee and the accused. The current media environment is bringing a much-needed focus to the important issue of preventing harassment in workplaces across the country. However, equally important to keep in mind in this particular moment is the principle of due process and that those accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent unless and until an investigation establishes otherwise. In our country, we strive to honor this fundamental principle that all are entitled to due process. In this case, I expressly and vehemently denied the allegations made against me, and continue to do so. My office resolved the allegations – with an express denial of liability – in order to save all involved from the rigors of protracted litigation. That should not be lost in the narrative. The resolution was not for millions of dollars, but rather for an amount that equated to a reasonable severance payment. There are statutory requirements of confidentiality that apply to both the employee and me regarding this matter. To the extent the House determines to look further at these issues, I will fully cooperate with an investigation.”

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

House Ethics panel announces probe of Rep. John Conyers


The House Ethics Committee said Tuesday that it has begun an investigation of sexual harassment allegations against Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.).

A BuzzFeed News report on Monday evening revealed that Conyers settled a wrongful dismissal complaint in 2015 with a former staffer who alleged she was fired because she didn't succumb to his sexual advances.

Former staffers also alleged that Conyers made unwanted sexual advances toward his female aides, touched them inappropriately, used congressional resources to transport women with whom he was suspected of having affairs and complained that a female staffer was "too old" and he wanted to dismiss her.

“The Committee is aware of public allegations that Representative John Conyers, Jr. may have engaged in sexual harassment of members of its staff, discriminated against certain staff on the basis of age, and used official resources for impermissible personal purposes,” Ethics Committee Chairwoman Susan Brooks (R-Ind.) and ranking Democrat Ted Deutch (Fla.) said in a joint statement.

Brooks and Deutch added that the Ethics Committee will refrain from making further public statements on the Conyers investigation pending completion of its initial review.

The committee's announcement comes after House Democratic leaders, including Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), called for an ethics investigation into the allegations.

[SOURCE: THEHILL]