Sexual Harassment Suit Against Rep. Hastings Dismissed
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Representative Alcee Hastings has been released by a federal judge from a sexual harassment suit brought against him and the Helsinki Commission he chaired.
A former aide to Rep. Hastings, Winsome Packer, claimed Hastings repeatedly made unwanted sexual advances when he would visit Vienna on business for the commission.
The commission advises the U.S. on policy about security, human rights, and other issues involving Europe.
Last year, Packer sued the commission, Hastings, and commission official Fred Turner. Packer claimed Turner retaliated against her after she complained about the alleged harassment.
Federal judge Barbara Rothstein dismissed the lawsuit against both Turner and Rep. Hastings, but the suit can go forward against the Commission.
Hastings issued a statement late Monday saying the case was, "ridiculous, bizarre, frivolous, and has wasted – and is still wasting – a whole lot of folks' time and money."
(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
