Shapiro has refused to answer questions about a 6-figure payment his office made to settle a sexual harassment complaint against a trusted aide.
Amid intensifying talk of being named Vice President Kamala Harris’ pick to be her running mate, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is facing questions from a fellow Democrat over his role in a sexual harassment settlement last year.
Erin McClellan, the democratic nominee for state treasurer, took to social media saying Shapiro is unqualified and would not be satisfied “to be second under a woman.” McClellan also referenced a recent scandal in which Shapiro’s legislative affairs director Mike Vereb was accused of sexual harassment while “the governor’s office quietly reached a $295,000 settlement” with the accuser.
The employee accused of harassing his subordinate was not forced to leave his position until just before a report on the incident was set to be made public. Shapiro refused to publicly answer any specific questions about the incident or investigation, “including when he first learned of the complaint and whether he asked Vereb to leave.”
The payment to the victim was conditioned on her signing a non-disclosure agreement, from which Shapiro has steadfastly refused to release her. Critics say it undermines his reputation “as a champion of abuse victims”, one he gained while investigating sexual abuse in the Catholic Church while state Attorney General.
The group National Women’s Defense League is calling on the Harris campaign to “consider [Shapiro’s] handling of past complaints of sexual harassment”, saying harassment and abuse victims should have assurances that “Shapiro will do more to ensure the safety and dignity of employees.”
Shapiro, who is Jewish, has drawn warnings from extreme left-wingers over his steadfast support for Israel and his previous support for school vouchers. Like VP Harris on guns, Shapiro flip-flopped on vouchers.
Shapiro’s stock is quickly rising in the veepstakes. He is now the prohibitive favorite to be named Harris running mate before the Democratic National Convention later this month.
