Hillary Clinton did not deny claims that she allowed a top aide to stay on her 2008 presidential campaign despite complaints that he was harassing a female staffer.
The New York Times reported early Friday that Patti Solis Doyle brought forward concerns that Burns Strider, the campaign’s faith adviser, had been harassing a younger female staffer. Doyle, who was campaign manager at the time, recommended that Clinton fire Strider. (RELATED: Report: Hillary Clinton Shielded An Accused Sexual Harasser On Her Campaign)
Clinton allegedly refused to remove Strider from the campaign and instead asked him to undergo counseling and docked several weeks worth of his pay.
In a set of tweets on Friday evening, Clinton did not deny the story, and instead insisted that she was “dismayed when it occurred.”
Clinton claimed that the woman’s complaint was “taken seriously and addressed,” even though Clinton reassigned the woman to a new job and seemingly ignored her advisers’ advice to get rid of Strider.
“A story appeared today about something that happened in 2008. I was dismayed when it occurred, but was heartened the young woman came forward, was heard, and had her concerns taken seriously and addressed,” Clinton wrote.
A story appeared today about something that happened in 2008. I was dismayed when it occurred, but was heartened the young woman came forward, was heard, and had her concerns taken seriously and addressed.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 27, 2018
I called her today to tell her how proud I am of her and to make sure she knows what all women should: we deserve to be heard.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 27, 2018
Sources who spoke to NYT said the female campaign staffer accused Strider of massaging her shoulders inappropriately, sending her suggestive emails, and kissing her on the forehead. Strider sent daily emails to Clinton for months with scripture readings.
After the campaign, Strider went on to work for pro-Clinton group Correct the Record, where he was again accused of sexual harassment and fired from his job after several months.