Originally published on February 3, 2021 9:44 am
Oregon lawmakers on Tuesday found Rep. Diego Hernandez created a hostile workplace at the state Capitol in Salem for at least one woman who worked in the building.
The Democratic lawmaker’s conduct violated legislative conduct rules, the four-panel committee decided.
Lawmakers started a series of hearings into the allegations of the East Portland lawmaker’s behavior on Monday night. The hearings are expected to last most of the week.
Lawmakers are basing their findings on both testimony and an investigation conducted by Sarah Ryan and Kira Johal, with the law firm Jackson Lewis P.C. The investigation delves into the allegations of five women, identified only as ‘subject one’ through ‘subject five.’ The investigators could not substantiate claims made by two women who participated in the investigation.
Committee starts
The committee met for 2 1/2 hours Monday night and was scheduled to resume hearings Tuesday.
The committee did conclude that Hernandez s throwing of a cell phone at the woman made her uncomfortable in their relationship, and was verbally and physically threatening.
The committee has not yet concluded its findings on the woman identified only as Subject 2, and still has yet to review the allegations raised by the other women.
The report by two lawyers from the Portland firm of Jackson Lewis, released Jan. 26, makes no conclusions about whether Hernandez actually violated a House rule that bars sexual harassment creating a hostile work environment. The rule was broadened in 2019 to cover not only the Legislature and staff members, but also anyone doing business with them. Lafky said some of the allegations against Hernandez predate that rule change.
January 27 2021
Report says lawmaker consistently blurred the lines but is silent about violations; investigators upheld three of five allegations.
State Rep. Diego Hernandez will defend himself against outside investigators findings, which are subject to review by a House committee, that he created a hostile work environment for three women in the Capitol.
The 33-page report was officially released Tuesday, Jan. 26, by the Legislative Equity Office, which commissioned the investigation by the Portland firm Jackson Lewis early last year. A news organization, not Pamplin Media Group, obtained an advance copy; some representatives have requested a separate investigation of the leak.
The House Committee on Conduct has scheduled several meetings on the Hernandez case starting Monday, Feb. 1.