After months of investigation and leadership discussions, an investigative report on a former Illinois state lawmaker was released Friday, detailing sexual harassment allegations.
Following the unanimous vote to release Legislative Inspector General Michael McCuskey’s report on former state Rep. Harry Benton, a redacted version of the report, the complaints made against Benton and other communications about the investigation were made public.
There are only two founded complaints in the report.
The first complaint details Benton allegedly sexually harassing an unnamed district office director during an event at a bar in Springfield, and the second details an inappropriate interaction at a Chicago bar between Benton, another male lawmaker and a female lobbyist – who said Benton made inappropriate comments to her.
In a response letter, the lobbyist disputed the LIG’s narrative and called into question the investigation’s quality.
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie said the inaccuracies may be due to previous ethics laws weakening the inspector general’s abilities – which she said drove out previous inspector general Carol Pope.
McCuskey responded in his statement alongside the report’s release, defending his work by saying his judgements have never been attacked by an individual doubting his credibility.
Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, chair of the LEC, said Friday no further action against Benton is being taken, citing the time and resources that would be required by the General Assembly.
Story from Illinois Radio Network
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