A lawsuit has been filed against Florida Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-Miramar) by Judicial Watch on behalf of a female employee, a statement by the public interest group said on Monday.
Judicial Watch said, the female employee, Winsome Packer was repeatedly subjected to “unwelcome sexual advances,” “unwelcome touching” and retaliation and began in 2008, when Hastings was Chairman of the United States Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Hastings “flatly denied” the accusation saying, “since I have not seen the complaint filed in U.S. District Court by Judicial Watch. I have seen a draft complaint prepared by my accuser that contains numerous inaccuracies and untruths.”
The lawsuit also named the former Commissioner’s staff director Fred Turner and the Commission as defendants in the lawsuit.
Filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Monday, March 7th, the lawsuit states, in part:
Although Ms. Packer repeatedly rejected Mr. Hastings’ sexual attention and repeatedly complained about the harassment to the Commission Staff Director, Fred Turner, Mr. Hastings refused to stop sexually harassing her. Rather, Mr. Hastings and Mr. Turner began to retaliate against Ms. Packer—including making threats of termination—because she continued to object to Mr. Hastings’ conduct.
Hastings, on Monday, expressed confidence that he would prevail against Packer.
“I will win this lawsuit, that is a certainty. In a race with a lie, the truth always wins. And when the truth comes to light and the personal agendas of my accusers are exposed, I will be vindicated,” said Hastings, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
