Staffers accuse lawmaker Cohn of harassment (California State Assemblywoman)

1 posted on 02/14/2004 4:13:55 PM PST by ambrose

She's a Democrat, its all about sex and its time to move on.

2 posted on 02/14/2004 4:15:33 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)

Feb. 14, 2004
Two aides to lawmaker placed on paid leave
ASSEMBLY PANEL PROBING WORKPLACE COMPLAINTS
By Ann E. Marimow
Mercury News Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO - Two aides to Assembly member Rebecca Cohn, D-Campbell, were put on paid leave Friday by a key Assembly committee because their positions became too awkward during an investigation into Cohn's behavior toward her staff, according to sources familiar with the situation.

The decision to put two employees on administrative leave came on the day the Mercury News reported that the Assembly Rules Committee is looking into complaints from at least five aides to Cohn.

Two of the complaints stem, in part, from a photo shoot of Cohn for San Jose Magazine's January issue. Aides told the Rules Committee that the legislator asked them to help her change in and out of designer outfits. In two interview summaries, the aides also said that Cohn created an uncomfortable work environment by wearing provocative clothing, soliciting comments about her appearance and discussing her sex life.

These two aides -- executive secretary Melissa Wilhite and press secretary Erika Weaver-Taylor -- have been asked not to return to the office until they hear back from the Rules Committee.

At least three other aides to Cohn have been questioned by the committee on unrelated issues, according to sources close to the situation.

Cohn declined to comment Friday. Her chief of staff said Assembly rules prohibit discussion of personnel matters.

``Until someone says I can talk again,'' said Chief of Staff Cris Forsyth, ``I'm not talking.''

Rules Committee investigations are confidential, and the committee's chief administrative officer would not comment on whether there is an ongoing inquiry.

But in general, said the Assembly's chief administration officer, Jon Waldie, it is not uncommon to place people on paid leave during the course of an investigation.

``If there were a situation where you had staff put in a position that would cause them potential discomfort, I would do whatever I could to alleviate that,'' he said.

The Rules Committee's policy is to try to wrap up internal inquiries within 15 working days. At least one of the interviews took place six weeks ago.

Waldie explained that ``people are busy.''

``Trying to get individuals to grant us an audience is sometimes prohibitive in meeting the deadline.''

3 posted on 02/14/2004 4:20:51 PM PST by calcowgirl (No on Propositions 55, 56, 57, 58)

4 posted on 02/14/2004 4:24:02 PM PST by calcowgirl (No on Propositions 55, 56, 57, 58)

why does she need 5 staffers?? paid leave? who is paying?? no wonder calif is broke. plus free cars

5 posted on 02/14/2004 4:48:20 PM PST by camas

Interns? Must be a Democrat thang.

6 posted on 02/14/2004 4:50:07 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)

What the hell is a "Lawmaker?"

7 posted on 02/14/2004 4:51:55 PM PST by PoorMuttly ("The cheaper the hood, the more colorful the language." - Humphrey Bogart (The Maltese Falcon)

The Rules Committee's policy is to try to wrap up internal inquiries within 15 working days. At least one of the interviews took place six weeks ago. Waldie explained that ``people are busy.''

Weak excuse... this wouldn't be acceptable in the private sector. These are the same people that just passed a law in California last year that make employers liable for sexual harrassment if an employee is harrassed by a CUSTOMER!

8 posted on 02/14/2004 4:58:31 PM PST by So Cal Rocket

To: So Cal Rocket

Liberals in government DON'T have to follow the rules they make for others. Those are for the little people like us.

9 posted on 02/14/2004 5:00:22 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)

To: goldstategop

Can't beleive this makes the news if she's a Lib Rat from CA. Given here background this should be seen as simply open and progressive behavior.

10 posted on 02/14/2004 5:03:20 PM PST by Swanks

Just for "investigative" purposes mind you, but how soon will the staffers tell us the details of what she told them about who, what, when, where, and how?

11 posted on 02/14/2004 5:12:02 PM PST by Enterprise ("Do you know who I am?")

hmmm...

>>Openly discussed her sex life while dining with her press secretary, Erika Weaver-Taylor, until the aide got so upset that she "excused herself from the table and went to the bathroom, where she threw up."

12 posted on 02/14/2004 11:56:19 PM PST by BurbankKarl

Having Jackie Golderberg for her character witness is good enough for me: hang her.

13 posted on 02/15/2004 6:27:26 AM PST by John Jorsett

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