Florida Lawmaker Faces Ethics Review
Woman Alleges Harassment by Florida Congressman Who is Also an Impeached Former Federal Judge
SPIN CYCLE: Speaker Pelosi Vowed that Democrats Would “Demand the Highest Ethics from Every Public Servant”:
“Our goal is to restore accountability, honesty and openness at all levels of government. To do so, we will create and enforce rules that demand the highest ethics from every public servant, sever unethical ties between lawmakers and lobbyists, and establish clear standards that prevent the trading of official business for gifts,” (Nancy Pelosi’s “A New Direction for America,” Page 21).
RINSE CYCLE: Ethics Investigation Sparked by Claims Hastings Sexually Harassed Female Staffer and Retaliated When She Attempted To Report His Inappropriate Behavior:
A congressional ethics panel is investigating allegations that Florida Democratic Rep. Alcee Hastings sexually harassed a member of his staff, according to people familiar with the matter.
The investigation of Mr. Hastings is being conducted by the Office of Congressional Ethics, the House’s independent ethics investigative arm, and it is at a preliminary stage.
It began at least a month ago after Judicial Watch, a conservative group, filed a lawsuit as the legal counsel for Winsome Packer, a staffer on a commission Mr. Hastings headed. She alleged that she had been sexually harassed by the congressman and that he retaliated when she tried to report it.
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In her suit, Ms. Packer made a number of allegations about events she said occurred between January 2008 and Feb. 2010. The congressman pressured Ms. Packer to allow him to stay with her during visits to Vienna, where she was based, and made inappropriate remarks, the suit alleged. In one instance, the suit said Mr. Hastings asked her “what kind of underwear are you wearing” in front of others.
The lawsuit alleged Mr. Hastings and a senior aide at the commission retaliated against her for attempting to report the incidents to the staff of other members of Congress and the Office of Compliance, which handles claims of harassment from congressional staff members. Ms. Packer also alleged Mr. Hastings pressured her to give him gifts and make financial donations to his re-election campaign.
Mr. Hastings was first elected in 1992, three years after he was removed from the federal bench by the Senate following his impeachment by the House for allegedly conspiring to accept a bribe. A jury found him not guilty of the charge.
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The ethics office has 90 days to investigate before recommending whether the House Ethics Committee should begin its own investigation. If it recommends an investigation, the Ethics Committee must look into the matter. If is passes, its findings must be made public. (Gary Fields and Brody Mullins, “Florida Lawmaker Faces Ethics Review,” The Wall Street Journal, 6/22/11)
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