Grassley Receives Answers, Data on Harassment within the Federal Judiciary
WASHINGTON – After public allegations and
news reports of sexual harassment and inappropriate workplace conduct within
the federal judiciary, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and
Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein wrote to James Duff, the Director of the
Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AOUSC). They wrote seeking detailed information
about these allegations, how the Judiciary has handled them, and what efforts
are underway to ensure similar claims are handled appropriately in the future.
“Sexual harassment in the workplace is completely unacceptable—anywhere, anytime. Sexual harassment by a federal judge is particularly appalling. Federal judges are entrusted with enormous power, and they should be held to the highest ethical standard. Lifetime tenure is not a free pass.” Grassley said. “I appreciate Director Jim Duff’s response to Senator Feinstein’s and my inquiry, as well as the Director’s commitment to immediately investigate and address this problem. We will continue working together to ensure that all Judiciary employees never have to face sexual harassment in the workplace again.”
In addition to answers on
specific allegations and on the broader data about claims of inappropriate
workplace conduct, Grassley obtained a commitment from the Director to report
data specific to sexual harassment in discrete categories. Grassley, a
long-time advocate for government transparency, has instructed staff to
continue the ongoing dialogue with the Director to ensure that the appropriate
policy updates are implemented to inform and protect victims of workplace
harassment.
Should the AOUSC not return with
satisfactory solutions, Grassley will consider moving forward with legislation
to address the problem of harassment and misconduct within the federal
judiciary.
The February 9 letter from
Grassley and Feinstein to Duff can be found here.
The February 16 response letter
from Duff can be found here.
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