CA: Cohn probe still unresolved - Salaries paid to two aides on leave (for 8 months, so far)

Mercury News ^ | 10/07/04 | Ann E. Marimow

[NormsRevenge]

SACRAMENTO - For eight months, two aides who questioned whether Assemblywoman Rebecca Cohn created an inappropriate, sexually charged work environment have been paid at least $75,000 in state salary to stay home from work.

The Campbell Democrat's press secretary, Erika Weaver-Taylor, and office manager, Melissa Wilhite, remain on administrative leave while a powerful legislative committee continues to investigate their charges.

Cohn, who is running for re-election in Santa Clara County's 24th Assembly District, said Wednesday that she could not comment on the investigation.

The Mercury News first reported in February that the Assembly Rules Committee was looking into the complaints against Cohn. Since then, Weaver-Taylor and Wilhite have continued to receive their monthly salaries of $6,666 and $3,325, respectively. Both women, though hired by Cohn, are Assembly employees, paid from the general operating budget.

Taxpayers also spend at least $600 a month for health and other benefits for legislative employees and their spouses, and at least $300 a month for single employees.

Why the investigation has dragged on for eight months is unclear. The committee's official policy is to try to wrap up internal inquiries within 15 working days. The first interviews took place in December.

The Assembly's chief administrative officer, Jon Waldie, said paying the salaries to the two workers ``will be a good investment.''

[NormsRevenge]

Assemblywoman Rebecca Cohn, D-Campbell

Mercury News Archives

[Bonaparte]

Last year, while Cohn was busily subjecting her staff to her exhibitionistism, she was also decrying the threat of sexual predators in California...

“The fact that we cannot account for 1 in 6 serious sex offenders in California is frightening,” said Assemblymember Rebecca Cohn. “They could be dead, in another state, or living right next door to a school. Every agency should be at the table with real solutions to ensure the system is rectified. Parents rely on this data to protect their children. We owe it to them to fix these problems now.”

Speaking just for myself, I wouldn't let a child of mine go anywhere near Mizzz Cohn.

[Bonaparte]

Last year, while Cohn was busily subjecting her staff to her exhibitionistism, she was also decrying the threat of sexual predators in California...

“The fact that we cannot account for 1 in 6 serious sex offenders in California is frightening,” said Assemblymember Rebecca Cohn. “They could be dead, in another state, or living right next door to a school. Every agency should be at the table with real solutions to ensure the system is rectified. Parents rely on this data to protect their children. We owe it to them to fix these problems now.”

Speaking just for myself, I wouldn't let a child of mine go anywhere near Mizzz Cohn.

[Bonaparte]

"Why the investigation has dragged on for eight months is unclear."

Here's why.

Democratic legislative leaders were reluctant to investigate the Oracle affair as aggressively as they had the Quackenbush case. One Democratic legislator, Dean Florez, pushed hard for a probe, but the speaker of the Assembly, Herb Wesson, was clearly hostile. He appointed two Democrats to the investigating committee, Rebecca Cohn and Fred Keeley, who acted as virtual defense attorneys.

Even the SJMN couldn't be this naive.