Ana Ceballos
In the wake of a sex scandal that rattled the state Capitol last week involving Senator Jeff Clemens and his extramarital affair with a lobbyist, Senate President Joe Negron on Thursday defended the process in which sexual harassment complaints are reported in the Senate.
“I don’t think it would be fair to say that in the absence of complaints that must mean that there is or is not sexual harassment occurring in the building,” Negron said in a news conference. “I believe that the vast majority of legislators and staff handle themselves and conduct themselves appropriately.”
Clemens’ affair came to light thanks to a news report by POLITICO Florida.
While Negron reiterated there is “zero tolerance” for misconduct or sexual harassment in the Senate and that he has seen very “respectful treatment” among staff members, a recent policy change in the Senate came under fire. The policy adjustment sought to change how sexual harassment is reported in the chamber and some scrutinized it because it would have made it harder to file complaints.
Instead of going to human resources, complaints would have gone directly to Negron, which he said would have bolstered the “elevation of seriousness” of each complaint.
“The new policy in the administrative rules was actually an enhancement of earlier policy and may even streamline to say we take this with the utmost seriousness that there is zero tolerance for sexual harassment and that any complaint will be investigated,” Negron said.
The policy has been placed under review to make it stronger.
Negron reassured reporters there would be “dire consequences” if there were any founded complaints. So far, though, he is not aware of any “formal or informal complaints” in relation to sexual harassment in the Senate — other than those reported by the media
“The process works when any person who feels there has been misconduct, or a victim of sexual harassment, comes forward,” Negron said.
