Former Dem rep fired by Morgan Stanley denies harassment allegations

Former Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.) threatened legal action on Thursday after allegations he forcibly grabbed, harassed and intimidated a woman several years ago, leading to his termination from Morgan Stanley. 

“This simply did not happen. I have never forcibly grabbed any woman or man in my life. Having drinks and dinner for work is part of my job, and all of my outreach to the news reporter making these allegations was professional and at the direction of my firm for business purposes,” Ford Jr. said in a statement posted to Twitter by a CNN reporter.

“I support and have tremendous respect for the brave women now speaking out in this important national dialogue. False claims like this undermine the real silence breakers,” he said.

{mosads}”I will now be bringing legal action against the reporter who has made these false claims about me as well as Morgan Stanely for my improper termination.”

Ford Jr.’s comments come after HuffPost reported that he was terminated from his post following the allegations. 

A spokeswoman for Morgan Stanley confirmed Ford’s firing, telling the publication he was terminated “for conduct inconsistent with our values and in violation of our policies.”

Ford Jr., who is the son of former Rep. Harold Ford Sr., is the latest high-profile man to lose his job due to harassment or other sexual misconduct allegations.