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| Democratic congressman John Conyers 'vehemently' denies sexual harassment | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Congressman John Conyers “expressly and vehemently” denied allegations of sexual harassment on Tuesday after a report that he had paid a woman over $27,000 to settle a complaint. | |
| The Michigan Democrat did acknowledge that he had reached a settlement, seeming to contradict what he had told the Associated Press on Tuesday morning. | |
| “My office resolved the allegations – with an express denial of liability – in order to save all involved from the rigors of protracted litigation,” said Conyers in a statement. “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.” | |
| His statement came after he told the Associated Press at his Detroit home on Tuesday morning that he knew nothing about any claims of inappropriate touching and had learned of the story just hours earlier. | |
| Referring to allegations of sexual harassment and assault being made against politicians and others, the veteran Democratic lawmaker says he had “been looking at these things with amazement”. | Referring to allegations of sexual harassment and assault being made against politicians and others, the veteran Democratic lawmaker says he had “been looking at these things with amazement”. |
| A spokesman for Conyers said: “The Associated Press made an unannounced visit to the home of Congressman Conyers this morning. Congressman Conyers was under the impression the reporter was speaking of recent allegations of which he was unaware of and denied.” | |
| BuzzFeed reported on Monday that Conyers’ office paid the woman under a confidentiality agreement. | BuzzFeed reported on Monday that Conyers’ office paid the woman under a confidentiality agreement. |
| BuzzFeed also published affidavits from former staff members who said they had witnessed the Democratic representative touching female staffers inappropriately – rubbing their legs and backs – or requesting sexual favors. One former staffer said one of her duties was “to keep a list of women that I assumed he was having affairs with and call them at his request and, if necessary, have them flown in using congressional resources”. | BuzzFeed also published affidavits from former staff members who said they had witnessed the Democratic representative touching female staffers inappropriately – rubbing their legs and backs – or requesting sexual favors. One former staffer said one of her duties was “to keep a list of women that I assumed he was having affairs with and call them at his request and, if necessary, have them flown in using congressional resources”. |
| BuzzFeed said it received the documents from rightwing activist Mike Cernovich, but independently confirmed their authenticity. Cernovich said he gave the documents to BuzzFeed News because Democrats would “try to discredit the story by attacking the messenger” if he published them himself. | BuzzFeed said it received the documents from rightwing activist Mike Cernovich, but independently confirmed their authenticity. Cernovich said he gave the documents to BuzzFeed News because Democrats would “try to discredit the story by attacking the messenger” if he published them himself. |
| The 88-year-old Conyers is the top Democrat on the House judiciary committee and the longest-serving current member of the House. | The 88-year-old Conyers is the top Democrat on the House judiciary committee and the longest-serving current member of the House. |
| The two Democrats most likely to replace him as the ranking member on the judiciary committee both called for an investigation. | The two Democrats most likely to replace him as the ranking member on the judiciary committee both called for an investigation. |
| Zoe Lofgren of California said in a statement. “The reports about Congressman Conyers are as serious as they get. The Committee on Ethics should take up this matter immediately with a goal of promptly assessing the validity of the news account,” said the California Democrat. “This reported behavior cannot be tolerated in the House of Representatives or anywhere else.” | Zoe Lofgren of California said in a statement. “The reports about Congressman Conyers are as serious as they get. The Committee on Ethics should take up this matter immediately with a goal of promptly assessing the validity of the news account,” said the California Democrat. “This reported behavior cannot be tolerated in the House of Representatives or anywhere else.” |
| This was echoed by Jerry Nadler of New York who said: “The allegations against Ranking Member Conyers are extremely serious and deeply troubling. Obviously, these allegations must be investigated promptly by the Ethics Committee. There can be no tolerance for behavior that subjects women to the kind of conduct alleged.” The Democrat added “We also must support efforts to reform the way the House of Representatives handles these matters to make the process easier and more supportive of victims, as well as more transparent.” | This was echoed by Jerry Nadler of New York who said: “The allegations against Ranking Member Conyers are extremely serious and deeply troubling. Obviously, these allegations must be investigated promptly by the Ethics Committee. There can be no tolerance for behavior that subjects women to the kind of conduct alleged.” The Democrat added “We also must support efforts to reform the way the House of Representatives handles these matters to make the process easier and more supportive of victims, as well as more transparent.” |
| The government has paid more than $17m in taxpayer money over the last 20 years to resolve claims of sexual harassment, overtime pay disputes and other workplace violations filed by employees of Congress. The Office of Compliance released the numbers amid a wave of revelations of sexual misconduct in the worlds of entertainment, business and politics that made its way to Capitol Hill last week. | The government has paid more than $17m in taxpayer money over the last 20 years to resolve claims of sexual harassment, overtime pay disputes and other workplace violations filed by employees of Congress. The Office of Compliance released the numbers amid a wave of revelations of sexual misconduct in the worlds of entertainment, business and politics that made its way to Capitol Hill last week. |
| Two female lawmakers described incidents of sexual harassment, one in explicit detail, and Senator Al Franken of Minnesota apologized to a woman who said he forcibly kissed her and groped her during a 2006 USO tour, and a second woman came forward on Monday accusing him of inappropriately touching her. | Two female lawmakers described incidents of sexual harassment, one in explicit detail, and Senator Al Franken of Minnesota apologized to a woman who said he forcibly kissed her and groped her during a 2006 USO tour, and a second woman came forward on Monday accusing him of inappropriately touching her. |
| The House minority leader, Nancy Pelosi, said on Monday she was unaware of the settlement by Conyers. “The current process includes the signing of non-disclosure agreements by the parties involved,” Pelosi said in a statement. | The House minority leader, Nancy Pelosi, said on Monday she was unaware of the settlement by Conyers. “The current process includes the signing of non-disclosure agreements by the parties involved,” Pelosi said in a statement. |
| “Congresswoman Jackie Speier has introduced legislation that will provide much-needed transparency on these agreements and make other critical reforms. I strongly support her efforts.” | “Congresswoman Jackie Speier has introduced legislation that will provide much-needed transparency on these agreements and make other critical reforms. I strongly support her efforts.” |
| In a statement, Republican House speaker Paul Ryan said: “This report is extremely troubling.” | In a statement, Republican House speaker Paul Ryan said: “This report is extremely troubling.” |
| Ryan added: “Last month, I directed the Committee on House Administration to conduct a full review of all policies and procedures related to workplace harassment and discrimination. A committee hearing last week examining this issue led to a new policy of mandatory training for all members and staff. Additional reforms to the system are under consideration as the committee continues its review. People who work in the House deserve and are entitled to a workplace without harassment or discrimination.” | Ryan added: “Last month, I directed the Committee on House Administration to conduct a full review of all policies and procedures related to workplace harassment and discrimination. A committee hearing last week examining this issue led to a new policy of mandatory training for all members and staff. Additional reforms to the system are under consideration as the committee continues its review. People who work in the House deserve and are entitled to a workplace without harassment or discrimination.” |
| The Associated Press contributed to this report |