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* Sun-Times…
A long-awaited legislative inspector general’s report requested by former political consultant turned #MeToo whistleblower Alaina Hampton concludes Kevin Quinn — a former top political aide to Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan — violated sexual harassment provisions now in place.
But the harassment in question happened before those provisions were added to state law as part of a revamped ethics act. That revamp was part of a cleanup effort after a swath of #MeToo allegations last year. […]
But since Quinn no longer is a state employee, he can’t even be disciplined for that violation. Current Legislative Inspector General Carol Pope — who adopted Porter’s findings — recommended that a memo from the speaker be placed in his official personnel file; the memo would state that he violated that provision and that “he never be rehired as a State employee or contractor.”
A separate legislative inspector general’s report about former Madigan chief of staff Tim Mapes was also released on Wednesday. Pope, too, found that Mapes “violated the Ethics Act by engaging in conduct of a sexual nature with the purpose and effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, and offensive working environment.” Pope wrote that Mapes also refused to cooperate with the investigation. He, too, will get a memo in his file and can never be rehired as a state employee.
* Tribune…
Pope said her predecessor referred the matter to the Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul to consider criminal charges against Quinn, but Raoul declined to prosecute Quinn over the Hampton allegations.
Well, that’s new.
* More…
[Pope] cited Mapes for “conduct of a sexual nature with the purpose and effect of creating an intimidating, hostile and offensive working environment.” […]
In response, Mapes’ attorney called the allegations “baseless and untrue.” […]
The accounts from Garrett, whom Pope “found … to be entirely credible,” were corroborated by three other employees in the speaker’s office, including two witnesses who “worked closely with Mapes and generally had good relationships with him,” according to the report.
The letter from Mapes’ attorney is quite something. No apology, defiant to the end.
* Kevin Quinn documentation…
* Tim Mapes documentation…
*** UPDATE *** Speaker Madigan…
The former Legislative Inspector General reviewed my actions and determined Ms. Hampton’s allegations against me were unfounded. She advised me that my office took the investigation seriously and made a reasoned decision as to how to impose consequences for Kevin Quinn’s misconduct.
I have strengthened and improved protections for victims of harassment in both my office and across my political organizations. These changes include instituting mandatory training on sexual harassment, intimidation, and other important workplace protections, and creating strong reporting mechanisms to report workplace complaints. I am committed to ensuring that anyone who reports a complaint is protected, they are treated fairly and that everyone has a safe and welcoming work environment.
* And this is from Ald. Marty Quinn…
The Legislative Inspector General’s report reiterates the statement I made in February 2018 and confirms my handling of this situation. When Ms. Hampton notified me of inappropriate text messages from my brother, I took immediate action. I also did exactly what she asked me to do. I understood Ms. Hampton wanted the text messages to stop and I made sure she was never contacted by my brother again. I have never wavered from creating a safe and productive workplace and I never will.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 12:11 pm
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Quinn violated rules that were not yet in place and will now be punished for violating rules that were not in place. Somehow doesn’t seem right. Put a letter saying what he did in his file and I doubt he would be hired anyway just don’t punish him for violating a rule that did not exist at the time
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 12:17 pm
Ah, the old “it’ll be in his permanent record punishment”.
Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 12:30 pm
I think the letters in their files are moot, but I am also not sure of their legality. The IG has no authority to compel people who no longer work for the state to participate in an investigation. Particularly when they face possible civil or criminal action they have every reasonable right to decline to be interviewed.
We allow folks who have been convicted of all manner of crimes to expunge their records and/or work for the state. Is giving the IG this kind of authority really a good precedent?
Buried deep in the story: heather weir Vaught and Madigan cleared by inspector general. Seems like that’s the real news.
Comment by Rutgers Highway Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 12:40 pm
Hampton still playing the victim. She will forever is my guess. She won. Quinn got canned and his life ruined. Accept yes for an answer.
Comment by Michael Westen Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 12:43 pm
Kwame Raoul- standing up for harassment since 2019.
Comment by Token Conservative Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 12:43 pm
Sure Mapes needs to throw up a smokescreen to confuse the public to that he can continue to lobby for several major clients in the Statehouse. Only in Illinois … And now Senator Sandoval stuff … this state needs a major housecleaning
Comment by West Wing Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 12:44 pm
At least Mapes get to keep his fat pension.
Comment by Just Me 2 Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 12:44 pm
Why would the Illinois Attorney General bring charges in this? Aren’t these actions usually handled by State’s Attorneys?
Comment by Distant watcher Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 12:46 pm
Alaina Hampton PLAYING the victim? Madigoonism at its finest
How did she win exactly?
What are her job prospects in the Illinois Democratic party controlled by Michael Madigan?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 12:53 pm
===Quinn got canned and his life ruined===
Kevin Quinn is not the victim here. Stop acting like he is.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 12:54 pm
I stopped reading early on when the piece said “…..to improperly sexually harass….” cause properly? bad legal writing to say it was improper to sexually harass. just write sexually harass. that’s bad, dudes.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 12:54 pm
Timmy, perhaps you should contemplate the quote so often attributed to Illinois’ favorite son:
“Better to remain silent and be thought a total a$#&@le than to speak and remind everyone again and again that you most definitely are one.”
Comment by Excitable Boy Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 12:54 pm
Some of these comments are pretty :/. I could never imagine in a hundred million years this is what Ms. Hampton wanted. Heather Weir Vaught seems a little sketch too reading through the report.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 12:55 pm
In private firms most hr website have a “do not hire again” box that can be checked.
I don’t see why the state can’t do so.
And of course Mapes will be defiant. What does he have to lose???
Comment by Fav human Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 1:02 pm
== Michael Westen - Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 12:43 pm:
Hampton still playing the victim. She will forever is my guess. She won. Quinn got canned and his life ruined. Accept yes for an answer.==
No means no, Kevin.
Comment by Token Conservative Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 1:13 pm
“Kevin Quinn is not the victim here. Stop acting like he is.”
Didn’t say Quinn was the “victim.” Stop making things up. He got what he deserved, which is what she wanted. So she should take yes for an answer.
Comment by Michael Westen Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 1:15 pm
Mapes again saying he served in the Illinois Legislature.
Comment by Les Nessman Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 1:21 pm
@Michael Westen ==So she should take yes for an answer.==
Given the context, you might want to check your language.
Comment by ChrisB Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 1:22 pm
Alaina Hampton has been serially abused by all sorts of Democrats. She was verbally abused and bullied by Marie Newman in the 2018 cycle and that’s why she parted ways with the Newman campaign. This seems to be a repetitive pattern with Newman, and speaks to Newman’s lack of respect and human decency towards staff. Not a good look.
Comment by Lake Effect Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 1:51 pm
DP Saint: “”Quinn violated rules that were not yet in place and will now be punished for violating rules that were not in place.”"
That is not accurate. Please reread the LIG report, which states the applicable law and rules which were violated at the time.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 1:55 pm
==Put a letter saying what he did in his file ==
With apologies to Darryl Ponicsán’s “Last Detail,” it won’t be easy for him to get a decent table at the club with that on his record.
Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:26 pm
Lake Effect– Kind of weird to make the focus of your comment Marie Newman. Is that you, Rep. Lipinski?
Comment by Anon324 Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:54 pm
==Lake Effect– Kind of weird to make the focus of your comment Marie Newman. Is that you, Rep. Lipinski?==
Seriously doubt Rep. Lip is replying here. I think the point is that abuse and harassment is a co-ed exercise, even if more commonly the abuse is from males toward females. Hampton’s experience with Newman wasn’t unknown. She was miserable to her. And others. Not a nice lady to say the least. Abuse matters no matter who it is.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 3:32 pm
Bottomline: Madigan’s operation was a brewery of harassment in all its forms. Whether there was a law at the time or not making the actions of Kevin Quinn not ok is irrelevant. Sexual harassment, bullying and job insecurity was a constant theme under his watch whether he personally engaged in it or not (apparently not). Alaina Hampton put it all on the line so that other women won’t have to experience what she experienced. They’ll be less likely to be ostracized or lose job opportunities because she courageously spoke out against the most powerful political organization in Illinois and good for her.
Comment by Shytown Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 3:35 pm
Wait, what?
“Mike Madigan and the Marie Newman’s he controls.”
This is the first I have heard that Hampton alleged she was bullied by Newman. Has she said this publicly or has she been claiming it privately?
Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 3:53 pm
@Michael Westen ==So she should take yes for an answer.==
“Given the context, you might want to check your language.”
Um, no. The “context” is the result of her complaint. She made a valid complaint. It was acted upon. The creep received his just dues. Take yes for an answer. Not complicated.
Comment by Michael Westen Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 3:56 pm
You can’t create a punishment for something that happened before it was against the law. Punishment by decree of discrimination of future public employment and employment by contractors of public agencies would seem to exceed Carol Pope’s legal authority.
Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 4:01 pm
A guy — The “Is that you, ‘X?’” trope is pretty common on this blog, pretty sure nobody ever thinks it’s actually that person.
In any event, you missed the point entirely. Why make the main point Ms. Newman’s character? It has absolutely nothing to do with the legislative IG report. Does it maybe enter into the issue Ms. Hampton has had with obtaining work with the party or other Democratic campaigns? Maybe. But Ms. Newman has never worked in the Il GA or Senate, so it’s pretty out of left field to make a comment centering on her and her character when the post is about Ms. Hampton’s allegations as investigated by the legislative IG. Unless the commenter feels a need to try to assail Ms. Newman’s character at any given opportunity, no matter how tangential the connection, which would be the case if the commenter was Rep. Lipinski or one of his more ardent supporters.
Comment by Anon324 Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 4:08 pm
Michael Weston,
Have you ever asked a girl out more than once?
Comment by Treehugger Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 4:24 pm
Thomas Paine- She has claimed this privately. Advisors to the campaign have confirmed they witnessed this atrocious behavior by Marie.
Anon324- You caught me.
-Dan
Comment by Lake Effect Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 4:47 pm
“Have you ever asked a girl out more than once?”
I usually don’t have to, but even if I did, not a subordinate/co-worker, and not 931 times.
Comment by Michael Westen Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 6:50 pm
Any thoughts on why Ms Hampton spent 3 paragraphs in her response to ig pope about individual A. Any idea who this lad is?
Comment by Tom matehja Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 7:47 pm
Michael Weston …
A bit of a stretch there, but glad you have confidence brother.
Comment by Treehugger Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 8:43 pm
The text messages with Individual A are important because they are really the only evidence of what was going on after Hampton reported the harrassment to Marty Quinn.
They leave little question that Hampton had wanted to maintain the friendship and professional aid of Quinn and Madigan, and little doubt to Quinn and Vaught’s statements that Hampton did not want Kevin Quinn fired and wanted things kept quiet. After all, its tough to expect to remain friends with a guy friends with a guy after you demand he fire his brother.
What iappears to have happened is that Hampton believed that the social contract between her and Quinn was broken when he refused to help her find work after the Newman campaign. In his mind, he couldn’t really help her since she had chosen to work against the ward organization. In her mind, they owed her. Whether she thought they owed her because she was a hard worker, or because she let the sexual harrassment slide i honestly cannot say, but it sure feels like the latter, because the only time she had asked Marty Quinn for help finding work was through Vaught and in the context of the sexual harrassment allegations.
The politically smart thing probably would have been to help her find a job and thus keep her quiet, but it would have been the morally wrong thing, and probably the legally wrong thing as well.
Tell me I am wrong. Tell me Hampton would not have kept silent if Marty Quinn had helped her get a gig on a statewide primary race.
Comment by Professor X Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 8:58 am