Democrat outraged to learn taxpayers paid $220,000 sexual harassment claim against him

Rep.  Alcee L. Hastings (D-Fla.) was accused of sexual harassment and the settlement cost the taxpayer $220,000, a report from Roll Call claimed Friday.

What were the accusations?

A former congressional staff member named Winsome Packer claimed that the representative "touched her, made unwanted sexual advances, and threatened her job."

She was stationed in Vienna and was required to travel with Hastings to other foreign countries. She said in her lawsuit that Hastings repeatedly asked to stay at her apartment or to visit her hotel room. Packer also said he frequently hugged her, and once asked her what kind of underwear she was wearing.

She filed a complaint with the Office of Compliance in 2010, and sued Hastings in 2011. That lawsuit was dismissed in 2012, and an ethics investigation in the matter was dismissed in 2014. However, the settlement came through the Senate Chief Counsel for Employment from the treasury.

What was Hastings response?

In a statement to Roll Call Friday, he called the accusations "ludicrous" and said he didn't even know about the settlement previously.

“Until this evening, I had not seen the settlement agreement between the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) and Ms. Packer,” he said. “This matter was handled solely by the Senate Chief Counsel for Employment. At no time was I consulted, nor did I know until after the fact that such a settlement was made.”

“I am outraged that any taxpayer dollars were needlessly paid to Ms. Packer,” he said.