The first and only Filipino American congressman, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), denied the allegation of a former staffer that he had sexually harassed her.
Scott denied the allegation to the Virginia-Pilot. He said the 2013 incidents cited by his accuser never occurred. He said she was working with a Republican known for peddling conspiracies.
“I have never sexually harassed anyone in my 25 years of service in the United States Congress, or in my 40 years of public service, or at any other time,” Scott said in a statement.
At a press conference Friday (Dec. 15) M. Reese Everson, said that in retaliation for her rejection of the congressman’s advances, she was fired and blocked from finding other work as a congressional aide.
“I was wrongfully terminated. And I was blackballed or blacklisted, whatever the appropriate term is,” she said at the press conference. “I was prevented in moving forward in my career because I attempted to run from a situation that was sexually inappropriate, where I had been propositioned to have a sexual relationship with my boss that I did not want.”
Everson, who was working in Scott’s office as a Fellow for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, related several incidents when Scott allegedly touched her on her back and knee and made suggestive remarks when he asked if she would like to accompany him on a trip to California.
When she tried to joke her way out of the invitation to California, she said that anger “flashed” across his face. “And he was disgusted and angry,” she said.
Everson said that after that incident, she “realized she had to run” but alleged that Scott prevented her from being hired in another Congressional office.
“The recent national discussion about sexual harassment is valued and important to our work to continue to make the workplace free from harassment and discrimination,” Scott’s statement continued.
“False allegations will squander this momentous opportunity for dialogue on meaningful change in the workplace,” Scott added. “I am confident that this false allegation will be seen for what it is when the facts are adequately reviewed.”
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