Following a recent lawsuit claiming sexual harassment and retaliation the Commerce Department, a House Republican leader said she wants the Dayton administration to review workplace policies to "ensure the safety and well-being of all employees."
In her letter, state Rep. Peggy Scott, R-Andover, highlighted a lawsuit filed earlier this month by a deputy commissioner of insurance at the Commerce Department that alleges he was sexually harassed and later retaliated against. The letter was addressed to Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith.
"In recent years, allegations of harassment, retaliation and intimidation by high-level political appointees have stained the good work by hard-working public servants," Scott wrote. "These incidents, as well as anonymous complaints from agency employees, raise concerns about both the prevention of and response to hostile workplace complaints in state agencies."
Scott took issue with Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman's initial response to the lawsuit, saying his dismissal of the litigation "sends a chilling signal to other Commerce Department employees facing harassment or considering reporting wrongdoing."
Dayton on Monday expressed confidence in Rothman and said he will let the process run its course. A Dayton spokesman declined further comment.
