Transgender intern says apology letter is ‘fake’
Lujan Grisham’s office says there’s no reason to doubt document’s authenticity
ALBUQUERQUE — A transgender former intern to U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico denies writing a letter of apology after she was fired from the congresswoman’s office.
Riley Del Rey told The Associated Press on Tuesday that she believes the fraudulent letter that was circulated by Grisham’s office is an attempt to discredit her charge that she was unlawfully fired for being transgender.
Del Rey acknowledged drafting a different letter that cited a “severe lack of communication” as the reason for her ouster but said she was pressured by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute to rewrite it.
But Del Rey said she never signed off on the letter that apologizes for the “shame” she brought to the congresswoman’s office.
“I acknowledge that my behavior was unprofessional and unacceptable. I profusely apologize if I brought about shame, embarrassment, or worry to the office as it was never my intention,” according to a March 2015 letter attributed to Riley Golightly, who also goes by Riley Del Rey. Del Rey said that is a forgery. “It’s literally fake news,” Del Rey said. “I’ve never, ever seen it before.”
Del Rey said she’s filing a new ethics complaint against Lujan Grisham over the fabricated letter.
Nathan Schelble, deputy chief of staff for Lujan Grisham, said the office stands by the apology letter.
“The apology letter we received was sent to us by Riley’s employer, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute,” Schelble said. “We have no reason to doubt the authenticity of the letter.”
Representatives with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute did not immediately return emails seeking comment from The Associated Press.
Del Rey said she was fired from her Lujan Grisham internship three years ago over her transgender identity and was coming forward with her story because of the wave of U.S. news reports about harassment and discrimination.
Del Rey alleged institute supervisors discussed her physical appearance with her after she began working in Washington, D.C., suggesting for example that her heels were too high or her hemline too short. She said her clothing was professional.
She said the organization’s concerns culminated about three weeks into her internship during a meeting with staff from the institute and members of Lujan Grisham’s office. Del Rey said she believed that staff in the congresswoman’s office had become aware that she is transgender.