Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., faces further investigation into charges that he sexually harrassed a woman who worked for the U.S. Helsinki Commission, after a group of his peers in the Office of Congressional Ethics found “probable cause” that he violated House rules in his alleged treatment of the woman.
“[T]here is probable cause to believe that Representative Hastings violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law as a result of his interactions with [the woman],” the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) decided, by a 5-1 vote, to tell the House Ethics Committee.
OCE called for the House Ethics Committee to investigate “unwelcome sexual advances, sexual comments, and unwelcome touching” allegedly made by Hastings. Winsome Packer, a former employee at the Helsinki Commission, accused Hastings of these activities.
“We are very pleased that the Office of Congressional Ethics report validated Ms. Packer’s allegations against Rep. Hastings,” said Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, which filed a lawsuit on Packer’s behalf. “Given the grave nature of the allegations and the other laws he evidently violated, the Department of Justice ought to investigate the allegations against Rep. Hastings as well.”
Hastings protested the decision to continue the investigation. “I deny the allegations made by Winsome Packer (“the complainant) and am deeply saddened and frustrated that this inquiry has progressed to this point,” he wrote in a lengthy response to OCE. “I am extremely disappointed that OCE now has referred this matter for further review despire the ample evidence contradicting the complainant’s spurious allegations.”
