The allegations stand in contrast to Gillibrand’s record as an advocate for women’s causes who has battled sexual harassment in the workplace, a message she has made central to her candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.
The staff member’s resignation included a letter she wrote to Gillibrand and two top aides last July in which she describes frustration over the office’s response to allegations of harassment and intimidation against the co-worker, Abbas Malik, a former special assistant to the New York senator.
The aide had accused Malik of making unwelcome advances toward her, as well as misogynistic remarks about female colleagues and potential hires, Politico said. The woman was not identified by the news organization.
“I felt defeated, not just from the humiliation and pain that the harassment had brought me, but that in attempting to seek appropriate disciplinary actions for my harasser, my experience was devalued. I was devalued,” the aide said in her resignation letter last August.
Malik, who served primarily as a driver for Gillibrand, could not immediately be reached for comment. His recent firing followed the emergence of a new allegation, according to a member of Gillibrand’s staff.
In a statement Monday, Gillibrand defended her office’s handling of the complaint. “As I have long said, when allegations are made in the workplace, we must believe women so that serious investigations can actually take place, we can learn the facts, and there can be appropriate accountability,” the statement said. “That’s exactly what happened at every step of this case last year.”
An aide to Gillibrand, who asked not to be identified in order to discuss internal matters, said an investigation into the staffer’s complaint was initiated within 42 minutes after she filed it last July. Seven staffers were subsequently interviewed.
That investigation concluded that while inappropriate, Malik’s specific conduct did not meet the standard for sexual harassment, but the investigation confirmed unprofessional behavior including derogatory comments. The office rescinded Malik’s promotion and warned him that any additional behavior would result in his firing.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.