Senate President Tom Dempsey (R-St. Charles) and Governor Jay Nixon (D) confirm the state Senate has an attorney for a possible case of harassment or discrimination involving an intern. Normally the Attorney General’s Office would respond to a matter involving a state government body. Nixon says an independent review can be helpful.
“You need to make sure that if things need to be changed or improved to guarantee safety in the right work environment they’re done. I think the Senate moving forward and taking that action is an appropriate action to make sure everybody understands the facts around this,” said Nixon. “They have an obligation also, I believe, to review and see what the facts are. So I think you will get a couple of good, independent views of what’s going on.”
The investigation was first reported earlier this month. Reports have linked it to the office of Senator Paul LeVota (D-Independence).
Senator Dempsey wouldn’t confirm future policy changes, but says the intern policy is being looked at and says the Senate’s sexual harassment policy could follow.
Former House Speaker John Diehl Junior resigned this month after admitting to sending sexually suggestive text messages to an intern. A group of Representatives will review the House’s capitol intern policy this summer and propose changes to be implemented next year.
