Allegations sideline backer of #MeToo movement
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia — a #MeToo advocate — took a voluntary unpaid leave of absence Friday, a day after sexual misconduct allegations against her became public.
Garcia, a Democrat, chairs the Legislative Women’s Caucus and has been an outspoken ally of the anti-sexual harassment movement sweeping the California Capitol and the nation. She is accused of groping former legislative staff member Daniel Fierro in 2014, an allegation she denies. His claim is under a formal investigation.
“Upon reflection of the details alleged, I am certain I did not engage in the behavior I am accused of,” Garcia said in a statement. “However, as I’ve said before, any claims about sexual harassment must be taken seriously, and I believe elected officials should be held to a higher standard of accountability.”
Fierro accused her of stroking his back, grabbing his buttocks and trying to grab his crotch in the dugout after a legislative softball game. An anonymous male lobbyist told Politico on Thursday that Garcia made a crude sexual remark and tried to grab his crotch at a May 2017 fundraiser.
Both the lobbyist and Fierro said Garcia appeared to be drunk at the time.
Charity cleans house over Haiti conduct
Oxfam, one of Britain’s largest charities, acknowledged Friday that staff members committed “sexual misconduct” in Haiti in 2011, after a news report revealed that senior officials there had hired prostitutes, including for sex parties.
Oxfam fired four people and allowed three others to resign after an investigation, which also found that drivers were sometimes ordered to pick up prostitutes and that orgies were held at houses near Port-auPrince that were used by the staff.
The employees included Oxfam’s chief official for Haiti relief and other senior staff members, according to the article.
Oxfam called the behavior “totally unacceptable” and “related to offenses including bullying, harassment, intimidation and failure to protect staff, as well as sexual misconduct.” The statement did not elaborate or mention prostitution.
Oxfam sent hundreds of people to Haiti after a devastating 2010 earthquake and reported that it had raised and spent more than $100 million for relief efforts.
Oregon legislator latest to leave
Oregon Republican state Sen. Jeff Kruse, facing possible expulsion for alleged sexual harassment of female colleagues and employees, announced his resignation.
“I continue to deny these allegations,” Kruse said in a statement Thursday. “However, today I tender my resignation so my colleagues may focus on serving Oregonians without distraction and my constituents receive the fullest representation they are due.” His resignation is effective March 15, which will allow him to finish out the legislative session.
He is at least the 15th state legislator in the country to be forced from office either through resignation or expulsion in the months since the #MeToo movement got going.
A report by an independent investigator found Kruse repeatedly subjected women to uncomfortable hugging and unwanted touching — sometimes on the Senate floor or in the governor’s office — even after repeated warnings.
More heads roll at Michigan State
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University will fire the former dean of its osteopathic medicine college and has suspended the radiology chairman in the wake of former sports doctor Larry Nassar’s sentencing for molesting young female athletes.
The university said Friday it has taken the first step to revoke Dr. William Strampel’s tenure and will not cover his legal expenses. Strampel has been sued by girls and women who were sexually assaulted by Nassar.
Suresh Mukherji, chairman of the Department of Radiology and chief medical officer of the MSU HealthTeam, is suspended.
Guess investigating Upton’s allegation
NEW YORK — Guess Inc. says its board has formed a special committee comprised of two independent directors to oversee a probe into allegations of improper conduct by its cofounder Paul Marciano.
The announcement Friday came about a week after model Kate Upton accused Marciano of sexual misconduct on social media.
Guess said Marciano “adamantly denies” the allegations.