Former Aides Accuse Brenda Lawrence of Ignoring Complaints About Her Chief of Staff

Politico reports that three former aides to Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) complained that Chief of Staff Dwayne Duron Marshall’s behavior made them feel uncomfortable. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the former employees also complained of unwanted touching. One former employee said Marshall would come up behind her and massage her shoulders or grab her by the waist. Another said Marshall once touched her neck while she was sitting at her desk, complimenting her hair. Two staffers also witnessed him grab a female colleague's midriff and tell her she was getting fat. They say Marshall would regularly remark on women’s appearances, telling younger female staffers about how beautiful they were and how it was a shame they were single. When women’s looks did not meet Marshall's approval, he would make snide remarks, said a fourth former female aide. One said Marshall would lecture women for wearing flat shoes instead of high heels. At least two former employees said they heard Marshall say he could not hire certain women because their looks were not up to par. Lawrence says, “I want to be very clear, very firm, that I had no knowledge of any allegations of sexual harassment in my office, and when I say none, I mean none,” she said in a phone interview. Upon hearing Lawrence’s denial, one of the women said: “She's completely full of shit." More here.