Democratic Rep. John Conyers of Michigan is the longest-serving member of the House of Representatives. According to a report that was published on Monday, he’s also the latest politician to be called out over a 2015 complaint of wrongful dismissal by a woman accusing the congressman of sexual harassment. According to Buzzfeed, the payout for this settlement came out of Conyers’ congressional fund rather than the US Treasury. The unnamed woman accepted a settlement of $27,000. Conyers was not required to admit any wrongdoing.
Buzzfeed News has received signed documents, three of which are notarized, from former aides who have accused Representative Conyers of sexual harassment. According to Buzzfeed, these requests included sexual favors, inappropriate touching, and transportation for women believed to be sleeping with the Congressman. Matt Peterson was the law clerk that represented the complainant. He described the process as “disgusting.” “It is a designed cover-up,” Peterson said. “You feel like they were betrayed by their government just for coming forward. It’s like being abused twice.”
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This news comes on the back of sexual assault allegations regarding Alabama US Senate candidate Roy Moore and groping accusations against sitting US Senator Al Franken. Sexual assault is finally being openly discussed given the numerous accusations towards Hollywood actors and directors. Accusations against the likes of Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Louis CK, etc…have given more women the courage to speak out against their harassers. The #MeToo and #OutYourPig campaigns have been very effective letting women know that they are not alone.
The Washington Post recently reported that since 1997, the Congress’ Office of Compliance has paid out $17 million in 264 settlements to various federal employees for “violations of various employment rules including sexual harassment.” This is money that the taxpayers paid out because some members of Congress are unable to conduct themselves in a manner befitting a Congressperson. Keep electing creeps to Congress and it will cost us in the long run.
