S. Dakota GOP chief: Senator accused of harassment

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota’s Senate Republican chief stated Friday {that a} committee will examine a suspended senator for allegedly harassing a legislative aide throughout an change over childhood vaccines and breastfeeding.

Sen. Casey Crabtree, the Senate GOP chief, had declined to offer particulars of the allegations towards fellow Republican Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller on Thursday when the Senate voted to suspend her legislative powers. Crabtree stated in a press release on Friday afternoon that Senate Republicans this week had acquired a “detailed report” from a employees member of the Legislative Analysis Council accusing Frye-Mueller of “inappropriate conduct and harassment associated to personal maternal issues, together with childhood vaccines and breastfeeding.”

Frye-Mueller had informed reporters Thursday that she had shared her views on vaccinations with the aide, however Crabtree stated her public statements didn’t match with what she informed Senate Republican leaders in a non-public dialogue or what the legislative aide reported.

A Choose Committee on Self-discipline and Expulsion will likely be fashioned to research the allegations and is anticipated to finish its work subsequent week, Crabtree stated. The committee, which will likely be chaired by Republican Sen. David Wheeler, is anticipated to ship a advice to the Senate.

Throughout Thursday’s Senate listening to that led to her suspension, Frye-Mueller stated the motion disadvantaged her of due course of. Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden, who presides over the Senate, additionally cautioned towards punishing a senator with out first conducting an investigation.

Crabtree, in his assertion, pushed again on these objections: “Our objective is to create a protected work atmosphere for workers and legislators, and an atmosphere the place workers really feel protected bringing issues ahead. All allegations of harassment should be taken significantly. There will likely be due course of afforded to all events as this matter strikes ahead,” he stated.

Crabtree stated the investigative committee’s conferences could be open to the general public, besides once they delve into points which are personal by state regulation, and that the committee’s remaining report could be a public document.

The committee will likely be product of seven Republicans and two Democrats.

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