A top aide to a Democratic lawmaker who has been one of the most outspoken House members on sexual harassment resigned on Thursday after he was accused of…
A top aide to a Democratic lawmaker who has been one of the most outspoken House members on sexual harassment resigned on Thursday after he was accused of sexually harassing women in the office, it was reported.
Rep. Brenda Lawrence of Michigan said she would accept the resignation of her chief of staff Dwayne Duron Marshall who was accused of making inappropriate comments and having physical contact with women, the Detroit News reported.
“No employee should ever be made to feel intimidated, harassed or otherwise discriminated against in their place of work,” Lawrence said in a statement. “ Every employee should feel free to present their concerns with the expectation that those concerns will be quickly and directly addressed and resolved. ”
“I have accepted Duron Marshall’s decision to resign from his position and I will move forward with an investigation focused on the current and future climate of our workplace environment,” she said.
Former staffers told Politico that Marshall had commented on their physical appearance — including their legs — and hired women based on their looks.
Marshall also made other unwanted physical contact with them like rubbing their shoulders.
Lawrence placed Marshall on administrative leave last week, saying she would investigate the claims against him.
She said she would have fired any member of her staff sexually harassing others but was not informed about any of the behavior.
Lawrence said she has begun an “assessment” of the workplace environments at her offices in Washington and Michigan.
“Validating an environment of zero tolerance for harassment of any kind is a high priority of mine. Moreover, creating an environment of open communication and awareness of rights and resources are critical components of a secure workplace,” she said.
The congresswoman, who once worked as a human resources executive for the US Postal Service, introduced legislation last week requiring twice-a-year sexual harassment training for congressional employees.
