Rep. Bruce Investigated For Possible Sexual Harassment
DENVER – Representative Doug Bruce (R-Colorado Springs) is under investigation on allegations of sexual harassment by a staffer at the State Capitol. NEWSCHANNEL 13 has confirmed the investigation through the El Paso County Republicans Executive Director Nathan Fisk.
“If there is truth to this it will be dealt with and if not it will be quickly put to rest,” says Fisk.
As of late Wednesday night, a phone call and e-mail to Bruce have not been returned.
Fisk spoke with Representative Amy Stephens (R-Monument) who is part of the House Minority Leadership. Stephens confirmed the investigation to Fisk.
“If it turns out that there has been wrong doing, it’ll be dealt with in the proper manner and if not, Representative Bruce will be exonerated and be able to move forward with his legislative policies,” says Fisk.
NEWSCHANNEL 13 reached two lawmakers by cell phone late Wednesday evening at the Capitol.
Representative Kent Lambert (R-Colorado Springs) held Bruce’s bible when Bruce was sworn-in this past January. Lambert wasn’t aware of the allegations when we reached him on the phone.
“Yeah, it surprises me,” says Lambert.
Lambert says he didn’t see any different behavior from Bruce during House business on Wednesday.
Senator David Schultheis (R-Colorado Springs) had just learned of the allegations when we reached him.
“There’re some people here that would love to see him gone, I don’t know whether there’s any truth to it or not,” says Schultheis. “I’m not going to give any credence to something that’s just an allegation, they won’t say anything about anything.”
NEWSCHANNEL 13 also called the communications office for both the House Democrats and the House Republicans. We reached voicemails with the House Republicans, but got a hold of House Majority Communications Director Katie Reinisch. We asked Reinisch if House Speaker Andrew Romanoff (D-Denver) had any conversations about Bruce in the last week.
“No comment,” says Reinisch.
“There have been comments made in the past that have given (Bruce) some trouble, but I don’t know that he’s said anything wrong in this case,” says Fisk.
In February,Assistant House Majority Leader Representative Michael Garcia (D-Aurora) resigned after a female lobbyist accused him of exposing himself to her. Garcia said it was inappropriate, but claimed it was consensual.
Just last week, Bruce was silenced while debating a bill. He used the term “illiterate peasants” while talking about immigrant farmworkers. Hours before he was sworn-in on January 14th, Bruce kicked a newspaper photographer who took his picture during the morning prayer. Bruce was eventually censured after an investigation and committee hearing were conducted.
Click here to read the sexual harassment policy for the state legislature. After you click on the link,click on “Joint Rules,” then click “next page” and choose “JNTRULES.38”
