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Iowa governor rejects calls for broader harassment inquiry

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April 27th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds rejected calls Friday for a broader investigation into problems at a state agency where the director allegedly sexually harassed female employees for years without consequence. In a brief interview with reporters at the state Capitol, Reynolds said the culture of inappropriate behavior at the Iowa Finance Authority was caused by “one individual and I fired him,” referring to former director Dave Jamison. She acknowledged other employees witnessed or experienced some of Jamison’s problematic behavior but indicated she had no plans to hold them accountable for failing to report it.

Reynolds also dismissed criticism that the current sexual harassment training in state government — which Jamison took — doesn’t work if someone commits misconduct. She said it’s about making sure employees know there’s a process for reporting abuse. “We’ll continue to look at any situation and if we can improve it, then fine,” she said about existing policies. “I can’t, you can’t dictate behavior. You can’t dictate treating people with respect. But you can lead, and you can lead by example.”

Reynolds fired Jamison last month, a day after two employees told the governor’s office that he had been sexually harassing them. Reynolds released a complaint from one of the women Thursday that alleged Jamison made unwanted sexual advances, comments about her breasts and constant crude sexual remarks and gestures.

The woman wrote that a male agency lawyer often told Jamison “that he needs to stop it or be quiet,” and that a male agency administrator had reprimanded Jamison for inappropriate comments. Reynolds said she understood that they may have feared retaliation if they stepped forward to complain, but said she hopes other state employees who witness improper behavior will do so in the future through several available avenues.

The woman said she reported the behavior to the governor because she worried Jamison would be cleared or she would be fired if she contacted a separate, existing state agency that reviews human resources issues for state employees. Democratic lawmakers have called for an independent investigation, saying it’s important to know the details of any prior complaints against Jamison and how they were handled.

Interim IFA Director Carolann Jensen said Thursday that there is no pending investigation at the agency and that the governor’s office hasn’t reached out about launching one.