ARLINGTON, Va. – On Friday, Dec. 15, Congressman Bobby Scott (Congressional District 3) was accused of touching a former legislative aide inappropriately in 2013 and having her wrongfully terminated. Scott issued a statement in which he denied the allegations.
The former aide, M. Reese Everson, alleged that four years ago Scott touched her leg and body without permission. Her attorney said that Scott offered to advance her in her career if she’d allow him to have his way. The alleged victim said she was ultimately wrongfully terminated.
Everson, a lawyer who specializes in sexual misconduct advocacy, originally planned to come forward Wednesday, Nov. 29, but said she was troubled by reports of retaliation for her case and others like it, and said she feared she may yet again become a victim.
Scott said that Everson is backed by a “Republican operative known for dabbling in outlandish conspiracy theories, falsely alleged an act of sexual harassment against me.”
The congressman denied the allegation and said he has never at any time sexually harassed anyone.
“Sexual harassment and assault are serious issues deserving of critical attention and review,” he said in the statement (read in full below). “No one should be subjected to sexual harassment or be treated unfairly. I have fought to promote and ensure that in my political and professional life and I live by it personally.”
M. Reese Everson,
Scott added that the recent national discussion about sexual harassment is valued and important but that “false allegations will squander this momentous opportunity for dialogue on meaningful change in the workplace.”
Everson recently appeared with Laura Ingraham on The Ingraham Angle on Fox News Channel on Nov. 15 to talk about sexual misconduct, and at that time she declined to reveal the name of the congressman.
She said that since then, seeing other women coming forward has been a powerful experience, reaffirming her commitment to ensure women of the future are free from harm.
Everson is represented by attorney Jack Burkman.
Scott is currently serving his thirteenth term in Congress. Prior to serving in the House of Representatives, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1978 to 1983 and in the Senate of Virginia from 1983 to 1993. He serves as the ranking member on the Committee on Education and the Workforce, a committee he has served on since his arrival to Congress in 1993.
Full statement from Congressman Scott:
“Today, a former Congressional Black Caucus Foundation fellow, backed by a Republican operative known for dabbling in outlandish conspiracy theories, falsely alleged an act of sexual harassment against me. I absolutely deny this allegation of misconduct. I have never sexually harassed anyone in my 25 years of service in the United States Congress, or in my 40 years of public service, or at any other time. Sexual harassment and assault are serious issues deserving of critical attention and review. No one should be subjected to sexual harassment or be treated unfairly. I have fought to promote and ensure that in my political and professional life and I live by it personally. The recent national discussion about sexual harassment is valued and important to our work to continue to make the workplace free from harassment and discrimination. False allegations will squander this momentous opportunity for dialogue on meaningful change in the workplace. I am confident that this false allegation will be seen for what it is when the facts are adequately reviewed.”
