Taxpayer Funds Used in Congressional Harassment Settlements
Taxpayers funded more than $300,000 in confidential sexual harassment settlements linked to six former members of the House of Representatives or their offices. Nancy Mace disclosed the figures using official records.
Records Reveal Pattern of Allegations
Case files exceeding 1,000 pages show that some lawmakers allegedly misused their positions to mistreat staff. The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights released the documents after complying with a congressional subpoena.
From 1996 to 2018, the office approved 349 settlements involving legislative branch offices. Lawmakers or their offices handled 80 of those cases. Seven cases involved sexual harassment claims. A Treasury fund financed the payments, but lawmakers no longer use that fund.
Policy Changes After #MeToo Movement
Reforms followed the #MeToo Movement and ended the use of taxpayer funds for settlements. The House Ethics Committee confirmed that no new sexual harassment settlements involving members have been reported since the changes.
Lawmakers Linked to Settlement Payments
Six former lawmakers or their offices were tied to the payments. Several resigned after facing public allegations.
- Eric Massa
Three settlements totaled $115,000 over claims involving male staffers. Massa denied the allegations and said he knew nothing about the payments. - John Conyers
A staffer received $50,000, while another received over $27,000 in severance. Conyers resigned in 2017 and denied wrongdoing. - Rodney Alexander
A $15,000 settlement followed claims of harassment and discrimination. Alexander said staff actions caused the issue, not him. - Carolyn McCarthy
An employee received $8,000 after reporting harassment and a denied promotion. - Blake Farenthold
An $84,000 settlement addressed harassment claims and a hostile workplace. Farenthold resigned and later apologized. - Patrick Meehan
Two cases resulted in over $39,000 in payments. Meehan resigned and pledged to repay the funds.
Settlement Terms and Accountability
Settlement agreements did not include admissions of wrongdoing. Offices chose settlements to avoid lengthy legal disputes and reduce costs. Lawmakers fall outside ethics oversight once they leave office.
Missing Records Raise Concerns
The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights confirmed that it destroyed 23 case files under a 2013 record retention policy. The policy follows government standards but has raised transparency concerns.
The findings expose past gaps in oversight and accountability. Recent reforms aim to prevent misuse of public funds and strengthen protections for congressional staff.
