Former co-worker accuses Virginia lawmaker of sexual harassment

WASHINGTON — A former fellow with the Congressio- nal Black Caucus Foundation on Friday accused Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott of sexu- ally harassing her.

M. Reese Everson worked in Scott’s office during her fellowship in 2013 and said she was inappropriately touched and said Scott, a Democrat, asked her to flirt with him on a trip to California.

Before that, she said she had ignored two instances where Scott had inappropriately touched her.

“I realized I had to get the heck out of there,” she said. “I tried to run to another office headed up by a female member with a female staff.”

Scott’s spokesman was asked about Everson’s com- ments on Friday. He declined to comment on what she said.

Everson said at the time of the alleged harassment, she went to the office Rep. Maxine Waters of California for help. The staff, she said, questioned her claims.

Waters’ spokesman did not return a request for comment.

After the harassment, Everson said, “I was retaliated against, I was wrong- fully terminated and I was blackballed and blacklisted.”

Everson said she has documentation to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation that dates back as early as May 2013. She said she could provide the documentation, but that was not made available on Friday.

Last month, Scott confirmed that Everson had worked for him. At that time, Scott said he was aware of “no credible complaints” that Everson had raised against him or other members of Congress.

Everson had previously planned to come forward before in a news conference last month but backed out at the last minute. “I couldn’t find the courage,” she said.