Clinton reportedly shielded aide
Accused of harassment, he stayed on ’08 team, sources say
WASHINGTON — A senior adviser to Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign who was accused of repeatedly sexually harassing a subordinate was kept on the campaign at Clinton’s request, according to four people familiar with what took place.
Clinton’s campaign manager at the time recommended that she fire the adviser, Burns Strider. But Clinton did not. Instead, Strider was docked several weeks’ pay and ordered to undergo counseling, and the woman was moved to a new job.
Strider, who was Clinton’s faith adviser and a co-founder of the American Values Network, was hired five years later to lead an independent group that supported Clinton’s 2016 candidacy, Correct the Record, which was created by a close Clinton ally, David Brock.
Strider was fired after several months for workplace issues, including allegations that he harassed a female aide, according to three people close to Correct the Record’s management.
Those familiar with the accounts said that, over the years, a number of advisers urged Clinton to sever ties with Strider, and people familiar with what took place did not want to see Clinton blamed for the misconduct of men she was close to.
The complaint from the woman was initially brought to Jess O’Connell, who was the national director of operations for the Clinton campaign. O’Connell, who is currently chief executive officer of the Democratic National Committee, handled the investigation and advised that Strider should be fired, according to three people familiar with the events.
The complaint against Strider was made by a 30-yearold woman. She told a campaign official that Strider had rubbed her shoulders inappropriately, kissed her on the forehead and sent her suggestive emails, according to three former campaign officials.
Late Friday night, Clinton posted on Twitter that she was “dismayed when it occurred.”
She added that she called the woman Friday “to tell her how proud I am of her and to make sure she knows what all women should: we deserve to be heard.”
Clinton did not address why she ignored recommendations that she fire Strider.