Posted on 12/09/2017 11:16:17 AM PST by Kaslin
Documents show that the United States Treasury used $220,000 of tax payer money to settle a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment committed by Florida Democrat Alcee Hastings against one of his staffers, reports Roll Call.
Winsome Packer, a former staff member of a congressional commission that promotes international human rights, said in documents that the congressman touched her, made unwanted sexual advances, and threatened her job. At the time, Hastings was the chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, where Packer worked.
Hastings has called Packer’s charges “ludicrous” and in documents said he never sexually harassed her.
“Until this evening, I had not seen the settlement agreement between the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) and Ms. Packer,” the congressman said in a statement Friday night. “This matter was handled solely by the Senate Chief Counsel for Employment. At no time was I consulted, nor did I know until after the fact that such a settlement was made.”
Hastings said that the lawsuit that Packer filed against him and an investigation by the House Ethics Committee were ultimately dismissed.
“I am outraged that any taxpayer dollars were needlessly paid to Ms. Packer,” he said.
It is worth noting that Rep. Alcee Hastings was indicted by a grand jury in 1981 for accepting bribes as a Federal Judge in exchange for a shorter sentencing for two-mob convicted felons, according to senate.gov.
Hastings was charged with conspiracy and obstruction of justice for soliciting a $150,000 bribe in return for reducing the sentences of two mob-connected felons convicted in Hastings’ court. A year after Borders was convicted of conspiracy, the result of an FBI sting effort, Hastings's case came before the criminal court. Despite Borders’ conviction, and the fact that Hastings had indeed reduced the sentences of the two felons, he was acquitted in a criminal court in 1983 and returned to his judicial post.
"Subsequently, suspicions arose that Hastings had lied and falsified evidence during the trial in order to obtain an acquittal. A special committee of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals began a new probe into the Hastings case. The resulting three-year investigation ended with the panel concluding that Hastings did indeed commit perjury, tamper with evidence, and conspire to gain financially by accepting bribes. The panel recommended further action to the U.S. Judicial Conference, which, in turn, informed the House of Representatives on March 17, 1987, that Judge Alcee Hastings should be impeached and removed from office."
Following years of committee proceedings, the Senate found Hastings guilty on 11 of 17 articles of impeachment. Former Ku Klux Klansman and Democrat icon Robert Byrd ordered Hastings removed from office, acting as the Senate president pro tempore. But, the senate did not bar him from holding future office.
Four years later, Hastings was elected to Congress where he has held office ever since.
Taxpayer subsidized payout to a lover.
This should have every tax-payer outraged, but then almost 50% of the people don’t pay taxes so why would they care?
I’m just not sure where I see in the enumerated constitutional powers of Congress that it has the authority to pay off sexual harassment claims.
Garnishee their checks
Or send um to jail
Hastings and Conyers. By the time this over, half the CBC will be named.
Paul Ryan has the power to strip Hastings of his committee assignments.
Hastings should also be strippd of have his office budget and other slush funds he controls until we get our 220 thou returned.
Hastings Committee assignments
Committee on Rules
Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process (Ranking member)
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Ranking member)
Hastings Leadership positions
Florida Congressional delegation (co-chairman)
Senior Democratic whip
Congressional Caucus on Global Road Safety (co-chairman)
International Conservation Caucus
Sportsmen’s Caucus
Exclusive: Taxpayers Paid $220K to Settle Fla Democrat Alcee Hastings sex mess / Roll Call / FR Posted by springwater13
The Treasury Dept paid $220,000 in a previously undisclosed agreement to settle a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment that involved Florida Democrat Alcee L. Hastings, according to documents obtained by Roll Call. Winsome Packer, a former staff member of a congressional commission that promotes international human rights, said in documents that the congressman touched her, made unwanted sexual advances, and threatened her job. Hastings also asked her the type underwear she wore.
At the time, Hastings was the chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, where Packer worked. Hastings has called Packer’s charges “ludicrous” and in documents said he never sexually harassed her. “Until this evening, I had not seen the settlement agreement between the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) and Ms. Packer,” the congressman said in a statement Friday night.
“This matter was handled solely by the Senate Chief Counsel for Employment. At no time was I consulted, nor did I know until after the fact that such a settlement was made.” Hastings said that the lawsuit that Packer filed against him and an investigation by the House Ethics Committee were ultimately dismissed. “I am outraged that any taxpayer dollars were needlessly paid to Ms. Packer,” he said. (Excerpt) Read more at rollcall.com
Nobody believes this jackass. Get out now Hastings. This means you.....and cough up the 220,000.
BACKSTORY: Rep. Alcee Hastings Maxes Out Girlfriend’s Salary for Fifth Straight Year
Hastings also employs girlfriend’s daughter and a convicted money launderer
freebeacon ^ | March 8, 2017 | Joe Schoffstall
FR Posted on 3/9/2017, 8:53:46 AM by MarvinStinson
Rep. Alcee Hastings (D., Fla.) continues to pay his longtime girlfriend the maximum congressional salary of $168,411, and has paid her nearly $2.4 million in salary since 2000.
Hastings also employs his girlfriend’s daughter and the wife of a former staffer who was previously convicted of money laundering.
Patricia Williams, the longtime girlfriend who served as co-counsel during Hastings’ impeachment trial as a federal judge in the 1980s, has worked out of the congressman’s office since 1993. Williams started working for Hastings as a staff assistant and has since been promoted to deputy district director in his Broward County, Florida office.
The gig has proved lucrative for Williams, who has pocketed millions in salary since 2000, the first year that salary figures are publicly available from Legistorm.
Williams collected $21,250 for a partial year of work as a staff assistant in 2000, and was paid $98,000 in 2001. In 2002, her salary shot up to $121,307.
Williams’ salary gradually increased to $125,975 by 2005. She pulled in $623,003 during her time as a staff assistant from 2000 to 2005 .
Williams took over as deputy district director in Hastings’ Broward County office in 2006, a move that coincided with another generous salary bump to $143,314. Williams continued to receive yearly salary increases until her salary peaked at $168,411 in 2012, the maximum that can be paid to a congressional staffer.
Williams was paid $168,411 again in 2016, according to recently released fourth quarter congressional data. This was fifth straight year she was paid the maximum amount.
Williams is the highest-compensated member of Hastings’ staff. She earns more than his D.C. chief of staff, the employee who is typically the highest-paid in a congressional office. Williams has now pulled in nearly $2.4 million in salary since 2000.
Hastings also employs Patricia’s daughter, Maisha, as a staff assistant at his Broward County office. Maisha was given the position in 2011.
Hastings’ history with Patricia Williams dates back to the 1980s, when Williams served as co-counsel during his impeachment trial as a federal judge.
In 1981, Hastings was charged with “conspiracy and obstruction of justice for soliciting a $150,000 bribe in return for reducing the sentences of two mob-connected felons convicted in Hastings’ court.”
William Borders, a D.C.-based lawyer who was indicted alongside Hastings, was convicted in 1982 following an FBI sting. Hastings was acquitted by a criminal court in 1983, although a probe later found that Hastings had tampered with evidence, committed perjury, and conspired to accept bribes. Williams worked as his co-counsel throughout the trial.
Holding my breath waiting for the MSM to jump on this story.
Watching Fox news and they did a story on why the judge recused himself in the Flynn plea deal. Not once did they mention that Judge Contreras is on the FISA court. A simple Wikipedia search.. I do so hate the lousy excuse for reporting done these days.
He needs to, and I hope he does.
What??
1.Congressional Caucus on Global Road Safety (co-chairman)
2. International Conservation Caucus
3. Sportsmen’s Caucus
What in the world are these things? Are they compensated for each Caucus that they join?
Good places to hide tax dollars and wire-transfer the wealth offshore.
It seems to me as if sexually harassing the staff is one of the perks of being a congressman. A sort of droit de seigneur, for which the taxpayer has the privilege of paying.
Unless the woman has proof, how do we know this isn’t just a shakedown by her? Hastings is a crook, taking bribes from mob-connected people, but that’s a separate issue. The woman may have had a good case, she may have had proof, but the information in this article does not tell us that.
Plenty of payoffs have been made over the years by celebrities and corporations just to avoid trials, even though the plaintiff’s case was pretty shaky. They just want to avoid negative publicity. Remember, if we are ready to convict a Democrat without proof, the same standard will be applied to Republicans. The fact that a payoff was made is not proof that the accusation was true.
SOoooooooo, There must be a list of these settlements... and they should be released one or two a week.... make them pay all of it back. AFTER they resign
Winsome Packer looking winsome, and the "iconic" (ain't they all?) congressman.
Pervert Conyer’s buddies in the Congressional Black Caucus pushed him to get out. They’re running scared.....the C/B/C does not want to be under a microscope.
Conyers is a founder......L/E needs to audit bank accounts of the Congressional Black Caucus (C/B/C).....and the office accounts of its members, for instance, Conyers.....and Clyburn who dumped on whites for Conyers’ perversions.
NOTE WELL The “Bank Secrecy Act” was passed to protect the public from harm by identifying and detecting criminal enterprises, government fraud, money laundering, tax evasion or other unlawful activities.
Under the Bank Secrecy Act, banks are required to establish, implement and maintain programs designed to detect and report suspicious activity that might be indicative of govt fraud, money laundering, embezzlement, and other financial crimes.
<><> Joint bank accounts might be used to facilitate the transfer of of govt funds. Govt monies may pay for personal and private expenses, credit cards, real estate subsidies and vehicle purchases, and costs to engage in sexual activity.
<><> To cover their tracks, fake invoices might be created to show that money deposited into accounts was being used for legitimate govt purposes.
The scheme might be advanced by issuing phony statements of payments from federal and state sources that actually covered the transfer of funds for govt employees own use.
<><> L/E is directed to get ahold of: (1) copies of C/B/C checks, (2) wire transfers, (3) account statements, (4) invoices, (5) bills, (6) delivery tickets, (7) correspondence including e-mail, contracts, loan agreements, and, (8) any other books or records. L/E should also explore (a) monies paid to brokers, sub-brokers, (b) family members, (c) mortgage brokers, (d) financial managers, and, (e) real estate agents, brokers, and developers.
<><> L/E should scrutinize bank accounts for suspicious activities: (A) large deposits, (B) funds transferred from one account into another, (C) frequent requests for withdrawals, (d) purchases of airline tickets for female companions.
<><> Bank records might also show diversions to secret LLC other accounts, to operate personal businesses. Govt fraud can also be facilitated by withdrawals, gift cards purchases, credit card purchases and intra-bank transfers from govt accounts into personal accounts.
<><> A huge tip off is whether bank withdrawals support luxurious lifestyle including payments for real estate, investment and stock holdings, jewelry, luxury vehicles, resort travel and gifts from luxury outlets for wives and mistresses.
Taxpayers demand the Bank Secrecy Act be used to prosecute govt fraud pronto.
C/B/C/ needs to show Hastings to the door.
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