Bobby Scott, Democratic lawmaker, denies sexual harassment allegation

Rep. Bobby Scott is denying allegations by a former Congressional Black Caucus Foundation fellow that he sexually harassed her in 2013.

“I absolutely deny this allegation of misconduct,” the Virginia Democrat said in a statement Friday. “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.”

M. Reese Everson alleged during a press conference in Arlington earlier Friday that she was fired as a congressional aide for Mr. Scott after she refused the congressman’s advances. She said he flirted with her and touched her inappropriately on the lower back and leg during two separate occasions in 2013, and that her complaints to other congressional leaders about his conduct went nowhere.

Ms. Everson’s attorney, Republican lobbyist Jack Burkman, called on Mr. Scott to resign and for the House to launch an Ethics Committee investigation, NBC News reported.

Meanwhile, Mr. Scott called the allegation “false,” and said it takes away from legitimate complaints about sexual misconduct in the workplace.

“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,” he said in his statement. “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,” he said.

Last month, Ms. Everson told Fox News host Laura Ingraham she had been sexually harassed by a congressman, then “retaliated against, wrongfully terminated and blackballed” from finding work elsewhere as a congressional aide, but she declined to name Mr. Scott at the time.