Shapiro faces scrutiny over sexual harassment complaint against aide

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is on the short list to be Kamala Harris’ running mate, is facing renewed criticism for his handling of a sexual harassment complaint against a longtime top aide.

The state in September agreed to pay $295,000 to settle the complaint against Michael A. Vereb, then Shapiro’s head of legislative affairs and one of his closest advisers. An employee had accused Vereb of making repeated and graphic sexual overtures and then criticizing her job performance after she refused him. She resigned rather than continue to work for him, her only other option, she said in her written complaint.

Vereb, 57, kept his post for six months after his accuser first alleged misconduct. He resigned only after local reporters obtained a copy of the employee’s complaint, weeks after the settlement had been secretly reached. The governor’s office praised Vereb for his “dedicated service” when he left.

Shapiro weathered scrutiny last fall over his office’s response to the case, but it reignited in recent weeks as he became a front-runner to join Harris on the ballot.

The National Women’s Defense League, a nonpartisan group founded in the wake of the #MeToo movement, asked the Harris campaign this past week to look into the case, saying Shapiro’s office “should have done a better job” in both preventing sexual harassment and handling the complaint. Democrats, including a candidate for Pennsylvania treasurer, have also taken aim at Shapiro for his office’s response to the allegations.

In a statement Friday night, Manuel Bonder, a spokesperson for Shapiro, said the governor “was not aware of the complaint or investigation until months after the complaint was filed.” Shapiro should have been notified of the allegations sooner, Bonder said, and he has now ordered that he be immediately informed of any such complaint against a senior staff or Cabinet member.

The governor “has no tolerance for harassment in the workplace or anywhere else,” the statement said.

Vereb declined to comment. The New York Times is withholding the name of his accuser, who has chosen not to be publicly identified.

It is unclear whether the incident would hurt Shapiro’s chances of securing a spot on the ticket. Pennsylvania is a critical swing state, Shapiro is broadly popular and supporters say he could help Harris expand her appeal to moderate Democrats and independents.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

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