Rubio fires chief of staff over allegations

WASHINGTON — Sen. Marco Rubio, R-fla., fired his chief of staff Saturday after determining that he engaged in inappropriate behavior with subordinates.

Rubio said Clint Reed, his chief of staff since January 2017, was fired for violating office policies regarding proper relations between a supervisor and subordinates, and threatening to withhold employee benefits.

“Yesterday (Friday) afternoon, I was made aware, for the first time, of allegations of improper conduct by my chief of staff while under the employment of my office,” Rubio said in a statement. “These allegations were reported directly to me instead of our general counsel or the Congressional Office of Compliance. Immediately upon receiving this complaint, I along with our general counsel, began an investigation of this matter.”

Rubio then concluded that there was sufficient evidence that Reed

“had violated office policies regarding proper relations between a supervisor and their subordinates. I further concluded that this led to actions which in my judgment amounted to threats to withhold employment benefits.”

He then traveled to Washington from Florida and fired Reed on Saturday evening. Reed could not be reached for comment and Rubio’s office asked for privacy, citing the wishes of those victimized by Reed’s conduct.

“We have taken steps to ensure that those impacted by this conduct have access to any services they may require now or in the future,” Rubio said in a statement. “Pursuant to the wishes of those victimized by this conduct, we will not be disclosing any further details about the incidents which occurred.”

Reed, an Arkansas native, managed the Florida Republican’s successful 2016 U.S. Senate campaign. He also worked on Rubio’s presidential campaign as a senior adviser and Iowa State director. He held previous posts with the Republican National Committee and the Republican Party of Arkansas.