Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Clinton reportedly shielded aide accused of harassment
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.
Former campaign officials and associates of Clinton said Solis Doyle and other officials discussed the situation and Clinton’s response at the time. Some of them were troubled that he was allowed to remain on the campaign.
The complaint against Strider was made by a 30-year-old 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.
A spokesman for Clinton provided a statement from the law firm that had represented the campaign in 2008.
“To ensure a safe working environment, the campaign had a process to address complaints of misconduct or harassment. When matters arose, they were reviewed in accordance with these policies, and appropriate action was taken,” the statement said. “This complaint was no exception.”