Senate panel won't debate Sen. Jeff Kruse harassment allegations
Connor Radnovich
There will be no public hearing next week on the investigation into allegations that Sen. Jeff Kruse sexually harassed colleagues, interns and lobbyists in the Capitol since 2011, the Senate Conduct Committee chairman announced Wednesday.
Chairman Sen. Mark Hass, D-Beaverton, informed the other members of his committee they would not be meeting Feb. 22, writing that he believed it to be an unnecessary exercise.
"I can see no benefit from going through with the hearing since any possible recommendations along our timelines would occur after March 15," Hass wrote.
Last Thursday, Kruse, R-Roseburg, announced his resignation effective March 15. It became irrevocable Tuesday.
Kruse will continue to receive his base pay and a session per diem of $142 until that date.
Kruse denied the allegations in a statement announcing his resignation, saying instead he resigned to cease being a distraction to his colleagues. He had previously agreed to avoid the Capitol during review of the investigation.
Because of statutory requirements on how many days must be given between each step of the conduct review process, the earliest the committee could have made a recommendation was March 19.
Previously:Oregon Sen. Jeff Kruse resigns in wake of sexual harassment allegations
The bipartisan committee consists of senators Hass, Bill Hansell, R-Athena, James Manning Jr., D-Eugene, and Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer.
An independent investigation released Feb. 6 detailed a "longstanding pattern" of inappropriate acts, including: "cupping" a lobbyist's buttock, calling a law student "sexy" and "little girl," numerous instances of unwanted hugging, massaging, touching, kissing and placing his hands on women's waists or near their breasts.
The most recent situation described in the report occurred in September.
The investigation began after Sens. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, and Elizabeth Steiner Hayward, D-Portland, filed formal complaints against Kruse in November. The investigation looked into the accounts they alleged, but found other Capitol workers with additional allegations as well.
The Kruse case was the first time the Senate used this particular process when addressing allegations of harassment. Legislative leaders have said they plan to review the process and seek to improve it based on this experience.
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