Washington Times: Rep. Raul M. Grijalva quietly arranged a “severance package” in 2015 for one of his top staffers who threatened a lawsuit claiming the Arizona Democrat was frequently drunk and created a hostile workplace environment, revealing yet another way that lawmakers can use taxpayer dollars to hide their misbehavior on Capitol Hill.
While the Office of Compliance has been the focus of outrage on Capitol Hill for hush-money payouts in sexual harassment cases, the Grijalva payout points to another office that lawmakers can use to sweep accusations under the rug with taxpayer-funded settlements negotiated by the House Employment Counsel, which acts as the attorney for all House offices.
The employment counsel negotiated a deal for taxpayers to give $48,395 — five additional months’ salary — to the female aide, who left her job after three months. She didn’t pursue the hostile workplace complaint further.
The arrangement appears to run contrary to House rules that constrain severance packages, and it caught the eye of watchdogs who were already demanding answers about payouts in the wake of harassment complaints.
“It seems like all of these House bodies are designed to help cover for members of Congress,” said Melanie Sloan, an ethics lawyer in Washington. “A large part of the problem is that each member of Congress can treat their staff as their own fiefdom and also know that it will remain silent.”
In the case of Mr. Grijalva, the senior employee left after three months on the job. Her position was filled immediately by another worker, and her email and cellphone were deactivated. read more
So with Dems being unworthy of even holding my beer, I’d also have to worry about them drinking it.
It appears that our federal government is the definition of a corruptocracy. I imagine most state governments are the same.
I’m sure there are some guilty R’s out there too, the only ones I’ve seen thus far all had that dummy signification
[D] after their name. Who knew all the Democrats were handymen?
I would have to be drunk………..
First it was “Eating Raul”, now it’s “Drinking Raul”. I guess we’ll get “Dumping Rauls” tomorrow.
Please realize that Mexican Peoples have long been tied to Tequila, it’s an ” Ethnic Rite “. He needs time to unwind and have a Cocktail, until everyone stops the Hate ! (TIC)
Grijalva I and his drunken harassment are absolutely no surprise. I saw this one coming.
Yuck. Not even with a bag on my head too.
That’s pretty much the definition of Congress.
Wash your face you filthy greaser & have someone pop those blackheads.
Take some pride in your appearance Fatboy.
A group mug shot, who would have thunk.
Grijalva is a scum in general. Even if he wasn’t a leftist cum, he’d still be a scum. He’s probably the worst politician we have here in AZ, and that’s saying a lot.
…leftist scum…
although the original typo fits as well. He’s little more than a blue-dress stain.