Secret Service Manager Suspended for Sexually Harassing Female Agent
Washington, D.C.-The Secret Service is still doing damage control over the alleged DUI incident at the White House last month, but the troubled agency has a sexual harassment scandal on their hands. One that they probably hoped would go unnoticed.
The Washington Post reports that the Secret Service suspended Xavier Morales, a manager for the security clearance division after a female employee alleged he assaulted her at work function in late March.
Sources told the Washington Post that the incident occurred at a D.C.-area restaurant just days after two agents were accused of drunken driving and crashing into a crime scene at the White House. According to the complaint, Morales allegedly told the woman he wanted to sleep with her and professed his love for her. That eventually led Morales to grab the young woman and forcibly attempted to kiss her; he eventually gave up, the Washington Post reported.
Morales’ behavior was unbecoming for someone whose job it is to vet agents and decide if they should be fired for misconduct. Morales was suspended and prohibited from entering agency offices as the investigation continues.
Compared to some of the really depraved stories of sexual harassment, this was a mild incident. But this incident along with other troubling ones point to a failure of management and all too-permissive culture within this once-esteemed agency. Someone is not enforcing the code of conduct and these sorts of scandals will only continue to until management gets tough and enforces workplace policies.
“The Secret Service is an agency that demands that our employees conduct themselves with the highest level of integrity. These allegations as reported are very disturbing,” Director Joseph P. Clancy said in a statement, according to Post. The newspapers also pointed out that Clancy promoted Morales when he took over the Secret Service.
We hope Director Clancy is serious about his concerns and takes steps to stop sexual harassment and other misconduct. As a federal agency, the Secret Service should have a strong sexual harassment policy in place which can curtail incidents like this one.
Most people just want to go to work and do their job without being sexually harassed or subjected to a hostile work environment. It’s hard for people who have never need harassed to understand why it’s so distressing and why it shouldn’t be tolerated. Victims are deeply affected by sexual harassment and their distress can spill over into the entire workplace.
If you have been the victim of repeated sexual harassment and your employer won’t protect you, USAttorneys can refer you to a sexual harassment lawyer in your area to set up a consultation.
Too many people just tolerate sexual harassment because they don’t understand their rights and don’t think they have allies or anyone willing fight for them. Our sexual harassment attorneys want you to that you do have rights and there is a legal course of action you can pursue to recover your lost wages and damages for your emotional distress.
