Taxpayers have paid $342,000 in claims

MISDEEDS /

WASHINGTON — Newly released statistics show taxpayers paid more than $342,000 to settle workplace discrimination disputes at House lawmakers' offices between 2008 and 2012, including nearly $175,000 for eight settlements related to sexual harassment and sex discrimination accusations.

The numbers were released Tuesday by the House Office of Compliance, the taxpayerfunded office that handles the often-secret payouts to House employees. The information reveals three previously undisclosed settlements for sexual harassment.

One of those payouts, for $85,000, was to settle claims brought against Rep. Eric Massa, D-N.Y., who resigned in 2010 amid accusations that he groped male aides, according to a person with knowledge of the settlement.

The Office of Compliance previously released more-recent statistics that revealed a single $84,000 sexual harassment payment on behalf of Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold of Texas. Before announcing that he won't seek re-election, Farenthold pledged to pay back the amount of his settlement.

There is no public information available about the other claims, or which members of Congress they involve.

The new data show payouts totaling $342,225.85 for member-led offices, including roughly $115,000 paid to settle three sexual harassment complaints in the four-year period. About $53,000 was paid to settle five cases involving sex discrimination.

The statistics also show an additional $12,240 was paid to settle an age and race discrimination and retaliation claim for a non-member-led office on Capitol Hill.

Both chambers have agreed to adopt mandatory sexual harassment training programs for all members and their staffs. Additionally, bills have been introduced that would eliminate mandatory confidentiality clauses attached to mediation and require members to repay any settlements made with taxpayer funds.