Aide Accuses Congressman of Sexual Harassment

An aide who worked on the United States Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe claims that Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) sexually harassed her.

As a result, the conservative public interest group Judicial Watch is filing a lawsuit against the Florida Democrat.

The former staffer, Winsome Packer, claims that Hastings touched her and conducted "unwelcome sexual advances" when Hastings co-chaired the Commission when Democrats controlled the House of Representatives. Packer also names Commission Staff Director Fred Turner for allegedly not halting the harassment. Packer contends Turner then threatened to fire her.

For his part, Hastings denied the allegations.

"I have never sexually harassed anyone. In fact, I am insulted that these ludicrous allegations are being made against me. When all the facts are known in this case, the prevailing sentiment will be, ‘How bizarre!'" Hastings said in a statement. "I will win this lawsuit. That is a certainty. In a race with a lie, the truth always wins."

Judicial Watch is known for filing many lawsuits against Democrats and the Clinton Administration in particular.

Before coming to Congress in 1993, Hastings was a federal judge who was impeached and removed from office after a Senate trial. He was never convicted in a civilian court.