Clinton shielded top adviser accused of misconduct

WASHINGTON — A senior adviser to Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign who was accused of repeatedly sexually harassing a young 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 young woman was moved to a new job.

Strider, who was Clinton’s faith adviser, a co-founder of the American Values Network, and sent the candidate Scripture readings every morning for months during the campaign, 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.

He was fired after several months for workplace issues, including allegations that he harassed a young female aide, according to three people close to Correct the Record’s management.

Strider did not respond to requests for comment.

A spokesman for Clinton provided a statement from Utrecht, Kleinfeld, Fiori, Partners, 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.”

The woman’s experience and the reaction to it have not been previously reported. Until now, former Clinton associates were unwilling to discuss the events for publication. But that changed in the wake of the #MeToo movement, in which dozens of men have been fired or suspended for sexual misconduct.

The woman who made the accusation against Strider in 2008 has not spoken publicly about it and she declined to comment.