However, recent reports that Farenthold harassed a female staffer should offend both sides of the aisle. Allegations of sexual harassment are very serious, and Texas citizens, especially in Congressional District 27 may find that their already low-ranking junior member may be pre-occupied defending himself rather than serving their needs.
Sexual harassment allegations
Farenthold is being forced to defend his office in US Federal District Court in Washington, DC in response to a complaint by a former female employee that she was sexually harassed and then improperly terminated. Here are just a few of the facts alleged:
- “On or about February 11, 2014, Farenthold told Plaintiff that he was estranged from his wife and that he had not had sex with her in years.”
- “…Farenthold had admitted to being attracted to Plaintiff and to having ‘sexual fantasies’ and ‘wet dreams’ about Plaintiff.”
- “Farenthold regularly made comments designed to gauge whether Plaintiff was interested in a sexual relationship.”
- “Farenthold told Wilkes that Plaintiff could show her nipples whenever she wanted to.”
But the complaint in federal court is not Farenthold’s only problem.
Ethics Committee investigation might be next
This incident is not limited to district court for violations of federal employment laws, he may have violated the rules of the US House and could face an investigation by the US House Committee on Ethics.
As the Texas Tribune reported earlier today: “Two GOP Capitol Hill staffers predicted the matter would probably go before the House Ethics Committee and the Office of Congressional Ethics.”
Many of the allegations made in the federal complaint detail salacious comments made by Farenthold that any reasonable person would consider offensive and harassing. The US House Ethics Manual (pages 268 & 269) makes clear that sexual harassment constitutes sexual discrimination under the US House Rules.
The Ethics Committee is bipartisan and has the authority to initiate investigations of Member violations of House rules and to determine what, if any, sanctions should be taken against a member who is found to have violated the rules.
