MADISON, WI (WSAU) Records show state taxpayers paid $75,000 in 2015 to resolve a sexual harassment and racial discrimination claim made by an aide to former State Senator Spencer Coggs.
Jana Harris first filed a complaint against the Milwaukee Democrat in 2009.
Coggs is no longer in state government. He’s currently the City of Milwaukee Treasurer.
There have been four complaints of sexual harassment filed in the state Legislature in the last ten years. The state assembly does not release information about allegations of misconduct. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says allegations are unsubstantiated, and if an incident happens in the workplace there are employee confidentiality issues.
The complaint against Coggs became public because it was reached through the state’s Department of Workforce Development-Equal Rights Division. Their complaint process is not subject to confidentiality rules. An administrative judge reviewed the agreement and ruled there was probable cause that Harris was harassed. The specifics of the matter have not been made public.
The MetroSource news wire contributed to this report.
