Gillibrand says staffer allegations did not ‘rise to the level of sexual harassment’

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) defended her office’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations made by a former staffer against a male aide, saying the accusations “did not rise to the level of sexual harassment.”

“We investigated claims of sexual harassment and derogatory comments,” Gillibrand told reporters Monday. “We were able to substantiate derogatory comments and [were] not able to substantiate the sexual harassment.”

{mosads}“The sexual harassment claims did not rise to the level of sexual harassment,” she added.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is digging in, refusing to apologize or admit mistakes in her Senate office’s handling of a sexual harassment allegation against a senior staff member. https://t.co/LMKAOqBSth pic.twitter.com/xvs7L9K4GT

— The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) March 11, 2019 

“We took her allegations immediately, investigated them immediately and did a professional and thorough investigation,” Gillibrand said.

A former aide to Gillibrand resigned last summer after she said an older, male colleague made unwanted advances and used degrading language, according to Politico.

The incident has cast a shadow on Gillibrand’s White House bid in a crowded field that includes Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

Gillibrand has been an advocate for reforming how institutions handle allegations of sexual harassment and assault. She was the first senator to call for the resignation of former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) after he was accused of misconduct.