Current DC employee brings sexual harassment allegations against former deputy mayor
Rachel Schilke
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A current Washington, D.C., employee claims the district’s former deputy mayor and chief of staff sexually harassed her. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, opened an investigation into his abrupt departure last week.
Attorneys Debra Katz and Kayla Morin announced their client’s sexual harassment allegations in a release. It said they represented a D.C. employee who came forward with reports of “longstanding” harassment against John Falcicchio, former chief of staff and deputy mayor for planning and economic development.
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“It is our understanding that this behavior is longstanding and our client is cooperating fully with the investigation, which Mayor Bowser initiated immediately,” the attorneys wrote.
“Our client is courageous. She came forward to ensure accountability and protect other women. Given the gravity of our client’s allegations — which involve unwelcome advances and sexual contact — we ask the media to respect her privacy,” they added.
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Falcicchio had been considered Bowser’s right-hand man since before her election as mayor in 2014, per an official close to Bowser.
His departure was announced in a release on Friday, and Bowser released a statement regarding the investigation on Monday.
“I know you have many questions, but please understand that as this is a sensitive matter that includes privacy concerns, we will not be able to discuss it any further,” the statement read. “However, I am able to say that the circumstances of his departure led me to initiate an investigation.”
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“This investigation does not involve any allegations of improprieties related to business transactions,” the statement continued.
It added, “There is no reason for our important work on behalf of the residents of the District of Columbia to slow down. I have every confidence in my new Chief of Staff, Lindsey Parker, and in our Interim Deputy Mayor, Keith Anderson, and in the 37,000 employees of D.C. Government to keep us moving ahead.”