Colorado Springs lawmaker Rep. Regina English has been accused of mistreating her legislative aides, including ignoring a sexual harassment complaint by one of her aides against a relative of the lawmaker last year. An investigation was conducted by a third party at the direction of a bipartisan legislative committee, and while English denies the allegations, concerns were raised about her conduct. The inquiry did not find violations of legislative policy but expressed concerns about her behavior.
English, a Democrat, is the second state legislator to face allegations of mistreatment of aides in the past year. The findings of the investigation have led to calls for a closer examination of the legislature’s workplace harassment policies. There have been documented allegations of mistreatment by multiple aides, including inappropriate demands on their time and isolation.
In response to the concerns raised, legislative leadership is considering expanding the Capitol’s workplace relations office into a human resources department to address such issues. English has faced previous legal issues and fines related to campaign finance filings. Despite the investigation and concerns raised, English has faced no penalties for her alleged behavior and has maintained her committee seats in the legislature.
The investigation into English’s conduct highlights the need for a reevaluation of workplace policies within the Colorado legislature to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all staff members. The case raises broader questions about accountability and oversight of lawmakers’ behavior towards their aides.
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