The Department of Justice (DOJ) official in charge of the death penalty unit was removed from his post after The New York Times looked into complaints of gender bias and a hostile work environment under his leadership, the newspaper reported on Saturday.
Kevin Carwile, who has run the death penalty unit since 2010, was reportedly demoted for fostering a culture of “favoritism and sexism,” according to internal documents and court records gathered by the Times. He is now in a different division within the DOJ.
The move reportedly happened after the newspaper contacted the DOJ over the allegations concerning Carwile.
According to several sources who spoke to the Times, Carwile’s deputy at one point groped an administrative assistant in front of colleagues at a bar and Carwile asked those who saw it to keep it secret. His deputy also remains at the DOJ despite the complaints.
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The DOJ did not respond immediately to a request for comment from The Hill.
Employees have contacted Justice Department officials, the inspector general and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission about concerns regarding Carwile and his unit at least 12 times, according to the Times.
Some complaints were reportedly ignored for years and, when complaints were investigated, the accusers never received the results of the probe from investigators.
A DOJ spokesperson told the Times that the department takes the allegations seriously but can’t discuss specific employee disciplinary actions it is taking or comment on personnel action that could include personal privacy.
The unit he is leaving behind is likely to become more powerful if President Trump’s suggestion to execute drug dealers is pursued. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has also pushed for prosecutors to seek the death penalty in drug-related crimes whenever possible.