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Sexual Assault Tag

Posted by Leslie Eastman on November 30, 2017 30 Comments
Earlier this week, I reviewed that cases of California politicians who were charged with sexual harassment by numerous women who work with the state Assembly and Senate in Sacramento. I must admit, I was a little surprised that some comments seemed to indicate we were facing a new millennium version of the Salem Witch Trials. Therefore, I would like to offer another analogy.

Posted by Mary Chastain on November 30, 2017 42 Comments
A little too late, Nancy! Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has finally called for disgraced Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) to resign due to several sexual misconduct claims. What a quick 180 considering on Meet The Press on Sunday she defended Conyers and implied she didn't believe the victims. Politico has reported that Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) has also said that Conyers needs to step down, just days after he lashed out at the victims. This news comes after Conyers' family revealed he is in the hospital for a stress-related illness. The family spokesman lashed out at Conyers' victims along with other women who have used the #MeToo hashtag to tell their stories of assault.

Posted by Mary Chastain on November 30, 2017 22 Comments
Two more females have come forward with accusations against Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), including an army veteran. Army Veteran Stephanie Kemplin has accused Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) of groping her breasts during a USO tour in 2003. An unnamed former New England elected offical told Anna Merlan at Jezebel that Franken tried to plant a "wet, open-mouthed kiss" on her in 2006 on stage at an event.

Posted by Mary Chastain on November 30, 2017 21 Comments
NBC fired Today show anchor Matt Lauer on Wednesday after a very long meeting with a female that lodged sexual harassment accusations against him. After that, numerous other accusations surfaced. He remained silent all day, but broke his silence Thursday morning. From CNN:
"There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions," Lauer said in a statement provided to CNN. "To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC."

Posted by Mary Chastain on November 29, 2017 16 Comments
Early this morning, NBC fired Today anchor Matt Lauer after a colleague and her lawyer met with the big shots at the network and she gave them details of what Lauer allegedly did to her "that started on a trip at the Sochi Olympics in 2014 and continued for several months." NBC President Andrew Lack said the network does not believe this was an isolated incident. Of course it wasn't and Variety magazine provided more incidents of disgusting and disturbing behavior by Lauer. The New York Times also reported that NBC News received at least two new complaints against Lauer after his firing.

Posted by Mary Chastain on November 29, 2017 32 Comments
Former A Prairie Home Companion host Garrison Keillor has lost his job at Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) over alleged inappropriate behavior. MPR released this statement:
Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) is terminating its contracts with Garrison Keillor and his private media companies after recently learning of allegations of his inappropriate behavior with an individual who worked with him.

Posted by Fuzzy Slippers on November 28, 2017 16 Comments
With today's revelation of yet another Representative John Conyers' (D-MI) staffer alleging sexual harassment, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is reportedly in talks with Conyers about his resigning from Congress.  Of note, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is quietly supporting the move. CNN reports:
Several Congressional Black Caucus members are in talks to get veteran Rep. John Conyers to resign amid allegations of sexual misconduct, several Democratic sources told CNN on Tuesday. Those members are trying to ease his exit without trampling on his legacy during his 50-plus years in the House. Conyers, a Michigan Democrat, is the longest currently serving member of the House of Representatives.

Posted by Mary Chastain on November 27, 2017 29 Comments
Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) held a short press conference outside of his office to address the sexual misconduct allegations against him. He apologized profusely and promised to cooperate with the ethics committee. From Politico:
“It’s been clear that there are some women — and one is too many — who feel that I have done something disrespectful and it’s hurt them and for that, I am tremendously sorry,” Franken told reporters outside his Senate office. “I know that I am going to have to be much more conscious when in these circumstances, much more careful, much more sensitive, and that this will not happen again going forward.”

Posted by Mary Chastain on November 27, 2017 21 Comments
Minnesota Democrat Senator Al Franken. Michigan Democrat Representative John Conyers. Who is next? It could be anyone! A Washington Post report from a few weeks ago showed that the "Office of Compliance has paid more than $17 million for 264 settlements and awards to federal employees for violations of various employment rules" since 1997. This includes sexual harassment. Congress returns to work after the Thanksgiving holiday to immense pressure not only to reveal the causes and people involved in these settlements, but to make the process more transparent.

Posted by Fuzzy Slippers on November 26, 2017 27 Comments
Mary posted earlier on Representative John Conyers (D-MI) stepping down from his position as ranking member on the House Judiciary committee.  His language is hazy, and it sounds like he's not leaving the committee and intends to resume his position as ranking member when the "investigation" concludes. Clearly, the move is intended to serve as his "punishment" for allegations of sexual harassment that include his attending a meeting with a female committee employee in his underwear and numerous allegations of demanding sexual favors and punishing women by firing them when they rejected his unwanted sexual advances.  He's also alleged to have used, in 2015, taxpayer dollars to settle sexual harassment claims.

Posted by Mary Chastain on November 26, 2017 9 Comments
Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) has decided to step down as ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee as the ethics committee begins an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against him. He said:
After careful consideration and In light of the attention drawn by recent allegations made against me, I have notified the Democratic Leader of my request to step aside as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee during the investigation of these matters.
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