Sexual Harassment Allegations Substantiated in Deputy Mayor Case
By • June 20, 2023 0 725
Two of eight allegations of sexual harassment brought by a former staff member against her boss, John Falcicchio — former Deputy Mayor and Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Chief of Staff — have been substantiated, according to the summary of a three-month investigation by D.C.’s Legal Counsel.
The report released late on Saturday, June 16, concluded that “the Complainant’s substantiated allegations against the DM/CEO more likely than not constituted sexual harassment as defined and prohibited by Mayor’s Order 2017-313.”
The unidentified complainant alleged in the first substantiated allegation of “Physical Sexual Advances,” that “in two separate incidents in September and in October 2022, the DM/CEO made unwelcome physical and sexual advances towards her and exposed himself while she was in his apartment.” Her second substantiated allegation on “Inappropriate Messages” alleges that Falcicchio “sent her thousands of unwanted and sexually-charged messages via Snapshot on her personal phone, including demands for sex and a graphic video.”
Six other allegations that were investigated were not substantiated, according to the report.
They included charges of bullying, retaliatory interactions with the DM/COS in the workplace and at events, threatening behavior, retaliatory post-complaint treatment and removal from communications and activities essential to her work duties.
Investigations included interviews with some 21 individuals deemed knowledgeable of the specific work environment and examination of thousands of documents. According to the report summary, these investigations “were unable to substantiate as reasonable, the complainant’s stated current “fear for her physical safety and that the DM/COS intended to harm her.”
The timing of the release of the report was criticized by Ward 5 Council member Zachary Parker, who called it “a pedestrian attempt to downplay the findings of a damming report about long-standing sexual harassment, bullying and a culture that allowed it.”
Investigation into allegations by a second accuser is ongoing, according to the D.C. Legal Council.
Other Council members are pushing for more accountability and consequences. But rather than be referred to for criminal investigation and criminal charges, “what D.C. taxpayers can likely count on is a huge $$$ settlement beyond any legal/criminal liabilities Falcicchio is facing,” opined local political commentator Tom Sherwood.
“We encourage D.C. to implement immediate reforms that will prevent others from being treated in this reprehensible fashion – especially by those in positions of power,” stated civil rights and #At MeToo attorneys Debra Katz and Kayla Morin, who are representing the complainants.
“We take sexual harassment allegations and findings seriously and will continue to work urgently to ensure our workplaces reflect our policies and our values,” wrote Mayor Muriel Bowser in a statement on Saturday.
For his part, Falcicchio did not participate in the investigation. Since his resignation in March, he has been remarkably silent. Falcicchio has not spoken to anyone in public — or publicly about the allegations or issued any kind of statement.
According to legal resources, some examples of sexual harassment in the workplace include: Physically blocking a person’s movements; in other words – standing in their way; “accidentally on purpose” brushing up against a person; staring or looking their body up and down; following them around or paying excessive attention; sending unwanted suggestive or lewd emails, letters or other communications or sharing images of a sexual nature around the workplace or displaying posters, items or screensavers of a sexual nature; inappropriate and suggestive touching, kissing, rubbing or caressing of a person’s body and/or clothing; repeatedly asking for dates despite being rebuffed or asking for sexual favors or making sexually offensive gestures, remarks or facial expressions.
