Iowa: the heart and soul of Real America

For more than a decade, Iowa legislators and staff members engaged in lewd and sexually aggressive behavior, creating a "toxic" environment and a "culture of secrets" at the state Capitol, according to detailed court depositions reviewed by the Des Moines Register.

[...]

The depositions were taken in connection with a civil suit brought by Kirsten Anderson, a Senate Republican staffer fired in 2013 shortly after complaining about harassment and sexual misconduct at work.

A jury in September 2017 awarded Anderson $2.2 million, about $1 million more than she sought before going to trial. The state ultimately settled for $1.75 million.

[...]

While several of the allegations previously were made public, the depositions detail the breadth and depth of sexual misconduct reported under the Capitol dome, as well as lawmakers' inability or unwillingness to promptly address it

[...]

Multiple staff members watched pornography at work, including male staffers who gathered to view a video of topless women jumping on a trampoline to the tune of “Jingle Bells.”

Staff members and lawmakers described female co-workers and lobbyists in lewd or sexually derogatory ways. For example, male legislative staffers would “go out in like a little pack,” assessing the physical attributes of female lobbyists. One male legislative employee called women "c----", a vulgar term referring to female genitalia.

A senator gossiped with a colleague that a female senator was sexually promiscuous, while another senator asked a staff member on the Senate floor about the size of her nipples. The latter senator's drinking problems prompted a Senate leader to bring a breathalyzer to test his colleague before he spoke on the Senate floor.

[...]

"I think it shows what a toxic work environment we’re exposed to when you have grown men fantasizing about people’s sex lives on the Senate floor and getting away with it year after year," said Sen. Janet Petersen, who court testimony shows was the target of some of the sexual comments. "It's appalling."

[...]

For decades, [Anderson's attorney, Roxanne] Conlin has represented state employees on various workplace issues. She said she has consulted with legislative employees who have had to choose between quitting or tolerating ongoing abuse because they fear professional consequences or retaliation.

"I can't promise a woman who comes to me with a complaint that she won’t be fired," Conlin said. “Kirsten Anderson won a very big case, but she also lost her job and she went a very long time without a job. That’s frightening."

[...]

The Capitol fosters an atmosphere that protects people who act badly, Anderson said.

As an example, she pointed to the accusations in her lawsuit — documented by emails and multiple people’s testimony — detailing a December 2012 GOP staffer’s comment that a job applicant "likes rhythm."

When a co-worker asked what he meant, the staffer — Jim Friedrich, a former GOP candidate for state representative — said in front of at least six people: "She likes the black d---," referencing male genitalia.

[...]

Sen. Rick Bertrand, R-Sioux City, puts himself among legislators who have used inappropriate language. At least two Republican staffers said in depositions that Bertrand — privately among other male staffers — spoke inappropriately about women.

[...]

"I've tried to clean it up because of everything that's going on," Bertrand said. "And this isn't a Republican or Democratic issue. You start getting into 70-plus-hour work weeks, and sometimes language can get loose."

  Des Moines Register

Oh, yeah, another excuse for disgusting behavior. "I work hard."

The part-time nature of Legislature creates an unusual work environment, Bertrand said: Lawmakers from across the state are in Des Moines for four or five months, sometimes spending 12 to 16 hours a day with other legislators, staff members and lobbyists.

In addition, lobbying groups host hundreds of events — many after typical legislative hours — that involve alcohol.

That dynamic can create a situation where people become overly comfortable because they relate so closely and so frequently, Bertrand said.

Another excuse: famililarity and close contact. Right, asshole. If you're never around a woman, you won't be a dick to her.

The only legitimate excuse for being a dick is because you're a dick.

Most legislative employees can be terminated immediately for almost any reason. But potential sanctions for lawmakers who violate employee policies are murky, other than potentially losing the next election.

How violations worthy of termination might apply to lawmakers would be determined case-by-case by the Legislature's ethics committees, each comprised of three Democratic and three Republican legislators, said Carmine Boal, a former legislator who is now the chief House clerk.

The Senate this year updated some of its harassment policies following the Anderson settlement, but more work is needed, officials from both parties have said.

Sounds like.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.