Re: Dem Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro blasted over handling of sexual harassment allegations

[Lying Sluts]

On 07 Jan 2024, Tommy Is A Pedo <el...@protonmail.com> posted some
news:unf646$17gg4$6...@dont-email.me:

> The accusers are lying whores. Vereb should sue them for slander and
> libel.

Pennsylvania Republicans are criticizing Governor Josh Shapiro over his
handling of sexual harassment allegations made against one of his top
aides who recently resigned.

Several female Republican lawmakers, led by Senate President Pro Tempore
Kim Ward, have questioned why the aide was allowed to remain in his
position for months after his accuser came forward.

The Democratic governor on Thursday broke his silence on the scandal
involving his former Secretary of Legislative Affairs Mike Vereb, who
resigned in September nearly six months after he was accused of
harassment by a female subordinate.

"The fact that this is a personnel matter, I can’t comment on any
specifics and that’s really designed to be able to protect all parties
involved in any matter," Shapiro told reporters Thursday at an
appearance in Bethlehem to announce new funding for recreation and
conservation projects, according to PennLive.

Vereb, a former Republican state lawmaker, resigned from his role as the
governor's liaison to the state legislature in September. The
resignation came after a female deputy secretary who worked in the
legislative affairs office accused him of regularly making lewd and
sexually inappropriate remarks, PennLive reported.

"According to a draft of a Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
complaint obtained by PennLive, the women said she could no longer work
in an environment where she was regularly subject to lewd and sexually
inappropriate comments from Vereb. She also said she was retaliated
against when she complained," the report said.

Shapiro spokesman Manuel Bonder would not comment on the specifics of
the personnel matter but noted the Commonwealth "takes allegations of
discrimination and harassment seriously."

"Robust procedures are in place for thoroughly investigating reports of
discrimination and harassment – and these procedures are implemented
whenever complaints of discrimination or harassment are made and provide
detailed guidance to help ensure that allegations are promptly and fully
investigated and that employees feel comfortable to report misconduct,"
Bonder said.

Pressed to respond to Republican criticisms, Shapiro told reporters
Thursday to "consider the source when it comes from the president pro
tem."

GOP officials blasted Shapiro's response. "There are legitimate
questions about the handling of harassment allegations inside Governor
Shapiro’s office," said Michael Straw, the communications director for
the Pennsylvania State Republican Campaign Committee. "Instead of taking
the opportunity today to be transparent and answer a question on a
serious topic, he attacked the credibility of the first female Senate
President. Pennsylvanians deserve answers from Josh Shapiro."

The accuser's attorney, who refrained from commenting on his client's
case specifically, also criticized the governor's remarks about Ward.

"Legitimate questions or concerns expressed by elected officials--of
either party-- about sexual harassment in the workplace shouldn't be
dismissed in such a cavalier fashion. That response is beyond
disappointing," said attorney Charles Pascal, chairman of the Armstrong
County Democratic Committee.

Bonder told Fox News that the governor was referring to Ward's longtime
opposition to legislation that would increase the statute of limitations
on sex crimes.

"For years, Senator Ward has refused to run a bipartisan bill to give
survivors of sexual abuse their day in court to hold their abusers
accountable," Bonder said. "The Governor finds that unacceptable, and as
soon as the Senator decides to allow a vote on the bill, he will proudly
sign it to deliver justice and accountability to survivors all across
Pennsylvania."

Ward told Fox News Digital in a statement, "The onus is on us as leaders
to create a safe workplace culture. The alleged offender remained in his
influential role as cabinet secretary and served as Gov. Shapiro’s chief
budget negotiator until he resigned leaving the victim in an unsafe
space, to fend for herself, with limited options. This is unacceptable.
It is important that the taxpayers of Pennsylvania know how their
dollars are being spent supporting this issue as this matter not only
raises concerns related to workplace practices, but also how it has
influenced business outcomes for the state and the current unfinished
budget situation confronting Pennsylvania."

Shapiro also said Thursday that his administration is led by "two strong
women," referring to his Chief of Staff Dana Fritz and General Counsel
Jennifer Selber, according to PennLive. The governor said that together
they work for a safe work environment for all Commonwealth employees.

"Should anyone feel that we’re not meeting those standards, we have an
independent robust professional process to allow people to come forward
safely and have their concerns heard," Shapiro said. "That’s something
that I’m committed to. The leaders in my administration are committed
to. And that is something we adhere to in every case."

Democratic State Sen. Lisa Boscola, who was at the event with Shapiro,
said several female Democratic lawmakers met privately with the governor
to discuss the matter.

"We came out of that very confident that he is handling this, his
administration – and he is right. He has two powerful women that know
what they're doing when it comes to personnel issues," Boscola said. "So
I'm very confident him and his administration is handling this as best
as they can."

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dem-pennsylvania-gov-shapiro-blasted-han
dling-sexual-harassment-allegations