Clinton’s 2008 faith outreach adviser accused of harassment

Hillary Clinton’s former faith outreach adviser has been accused of repeatedly sexually harassing a woman in Clinton’s 2008 campaign for president, according to a report from the New York Times. Clinton reportedly chose to shield Burns Strider, who led her religious outreach efforts, instead of firing him as her campaign manager recommended.

Strider emailed Clinton daily Bible readings every morning during her 2008 campaign and served as a liaison of sorts to religious groups. Politico in 2014 described Strider as “a Hillary Clinton favorite.”

Strider did not respond to phone messages from The Washington Post.

“The complaint against Mr. Strider was made by a 30-year-old woman who shared an office with him,” the New York Times report states. “She told a campaign official that Mr. Strider had rubbed her shoulders inappropriately, kissed her on the forehead and sent her a string of suggestive emails, including at least one during the night, according to three former campaign officials familiar with what took place.”

The Times reports that the complaint was taken to Patti Solis Doyle, Clinton’s campaign manager at the time, who suggested Strider be fired. Clinton declined.

“Strider was docked several weeks of pay and ordered to undergo counseling, and the young woman was moved to a new job,” the report states.

The woman, who was not named in the report, has not spoken publicly about her experience.

Strider led an independent group that supported Clinton’s 2016 candidacy called Correct the Record, but he was fired after several months for workplace issues, including allegations that he harassed a young female aide, according to the Times’ report.