The #MeToo movement is finally coming for Hillary Clinton, who has for years been dogged by accusations that she helped intimidate women accusing her husband of certain improprieties.
In a bombshell report, the New York Times reported that a senior adviser to Hillary Clinton was kept on her 2008 campaign despite allegations that he sexually harassed a young female staffer. Clinton’s campaign manager at the time advised the campaign to fire the adviser, Burns Strider, who served as the faith adviser to the campaign, and reportedly sent Clinton Bible verses every day.
Instead, Clinton intervened: Strider was kept on, but he was docked several weeks’ pay and underwent counseling. Notably, Strider was a founder of the American Values Network.
Five years later, Strider was hired by Clinton associates to lead Correct the Record, a group that supported Clinton’s candidacy. He was fired a few months later following allegations that he harassed a female staffer there.
A Clinton spokesman provided a statement from Utrecht, Kleinfeld, Fiori, Partners, the law firm that had represented the 2008 campaign.
“To ensure a safe working environment, the campaign had a process to address complaints of misconduct or harassment. When matters arose, they were reviewed in accordance with these policies, and appropriate action was taken, the statement said. “This complaint was no exception.”
The Times based its account on interviews with no fewer than eight former Clinton staffers.
EXCLUSIVE – w @amychozick, Hillary Clinton went against a recommendation a senior adviser accused of harassment in 2008 get fired https://t.co/2befpWOCTy
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) January 26, 2018
Then-campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle and other senior officials discussed the situation involving Strider and Clinton’s response at the time. Some of them were bothered by the fact he was allowed to remain.
Clinton memorably waiting nearly a week before issuing a statement rebuking her former friend and fundraiser, Harvey Weinstein.
Statement from Secretary Clinton on Harvey Weinstein: pic.twitter.com/L1l2wl9l0I
— Nick Merrill (@NickMerrill) October 10, 2017
But this hasn’t stopped her from offering her full-throated support for the Women’s March and young women everywhere who are trying to realize their dreams…
In 2017, the Women’s March was a beacon of hope and defiance. In 2018, it is a testament to the power and resilience of women everywhere. Let’s show that same power in the voting booth this year. #PowerToThePolls
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 20, 2018
The woman who filed the initial complaint against Strider was 30 at the time. She shared an office with him and alleged that he had rubbed her shoulders inappropriately, kissed her on the forehead and sent her a string of “suggestive” emails.
The woman’s complaint was relayed to Clinton by Doyle, who urged the candidate to fire Strider – he was married at the time. Clinton refused.
But perhaps the most galling detail in the story is the fact that the accuser has been prevented from coming forward by the NDA she signed when she took her job.
Lena Dunam, a Clinton supporter, even told the Times that she warned Clinton campaign aides about Weinstein and the fact that his history of assaults “is going to come out at some point.”
Nick Merrill, the former director of communications for the Clinton campaign, said such a warning would not have been ignored.
via RSS http://ift.tt/2DS7pxy Tyler Durden