New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
Michelle Lynn Lujan Grisham Governor Of New Mexico Signs Bill To Legalize Marijuana New Mexico Ends Qualified Immunity On The Trail: How Marijuana Mainstream MORE (D) has reportedly reached a settlement with a former spokesman for her 2018 governor campaign, who accused her of sexual harassment.
The settlement was first reported by The Albuquerque Journal on Monday, stating that the campaign made at least $ 62,500 in payments to a law firm representing James Hallinan.
In December 2019, during a campaign meeting in 2018, Hallinan accused the governor of pouring water over his crotch and grabbing it through his clothes in front of other staffers during a 2018 campaign meeting.
Rachel Berlin Benjamin, who represents Hallinan, told The Hill: “Governor Lujan Grisham and Mr. Hallinan have satisfactorily resolved any disagreements or concerns. I cannot provide further information. “
The Journal reported that Lujan Grisham’s campaign made five monthly payments of $ 12,500 from November through March, which are listed as legal fees.
Jared Leopold, a campaign spokesperson for Lujan Grisham, told the Journal that the payments provide a solution to Mr. Hallinan’s “numerous dubious and disputed potential claims arising from his 2018 employment with the campaign organization and his subsequent search for work.”
He added that Lujan Grisham and her campaign “strongly deny” the allegations and entered the settlement to avoid “ongoing distraction and significant costs of potential lawsuits.”
Nora Meyers Sackett, press secretary for Lujan Grisham, told The Hill “the state has no comment as this is not an official state-owned company. Our office claims the allegations have no value. “
The Hill has contacted Lujan Grisham’s campaign for comment.
The settlement comes as co-democratic government. Andrew Cuomo
Andrew Cuomo Governor of New Mexico signs bill to legalize marijuana As Chauvin trial continues, US must reinvent public safety Police reforms are a minefield, even in progressive communities MORE of New York fights allegations of own sexual misconduct. Lujan told Grisham The Washington Post in early March that the allegations are disturbing and should be taken seriously.
Lujan Grisham is the president of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) and at one point was considering joining President Biden
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The DGA did not answer The Hill’s request for comment, but the Republican Governor’s Association condemned the settlement and called on Lujan Grisham to apologize.
“The payments certainly suggest there must be some truth to the story, and Governor Lujan Grisham must publicly apologize to her victim for her behavior,” said Will Reinert, spokesman for the Republican Governors Association. said in a statement
—Updated at 4:30 PM