by Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
In recent months we have witnessed a seemingly unprecedented level of bipartisan congressional dysfunction. In particular we have witnessed congressmen continue to get paid when they fail to perform even the most rudimentary legislative function of their job, while our hard working military were at risk of not getting paid for a job well done. In addition is the recent news media revelation that a congressional fund sustained by tax payer dollars, has been used to settle sexual harassment claims made against our elected politicians. Such misuse of tax payer money screams for full disclosure and the termination of all such funds.
Reportedly Congress has paid out more than 17 Million Dollars in the last 20 years to resolve claims of sexual harassment, discrimination and other cases. This money was paid out of a fund established in 1995 by the Congressional Accountability Act, which also established the Office of Compliance (OOC) that oversees these matters. Specifically how much of the 17 Million Dollars was paid to resolve sexual harassment/discrimination claims remains unknown, as does the identity of the congressmen for whom the money was used to protect.
Unfortunately, this travesty is not confined to the federal level as it apparently exists on the state level as well. In New York State for example, it has been reported that more than 10 Million tax payer dollars have been paid to settle sexual harassment claims within the state government.
In our previous article entitled Sexual Harassment In The Workplace, we detailed the serious problem and unlawful nature of sexual harassment which applies equally to our congressmen. Now that we are all aware of the illicit use of our tax payer dollars, many want to know the identity of all the politicians that benefited from such use of funds. Proponents for revealing names, believe that taxpayers have the right to know what their money is used for and who is using their money. Opponents argue that in the law, a settlement of a claim is not evidence of or tantamount to an admission of liability, or having committed the alleged acts. Further that if names are revealed, public bias will render the careers of such politicians dead on arrival, effectively negating the all important presumption of innocence in our country.
While both arguments are credible, in light of the nature of the use of funds and the higher duty congressmen are rightfully held to, perhaps the court of public opinion should be utilized in this matter. If that does transpire and names are revealed, we undoubtedly will be cautioned against conviction based upon allegation and encouraged to error on the side of due process. After all and in the words of John Adams, "We are a nation of laws, not of men."
Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
www.liattorney.com
ce
In recent months we have witnessed a seemingly unprecedented level of bipartisan congressional dysfunction. In particular we have witnessed congressmen continue to get paid when they fail to perform even the most rudimentary legislative function of their job, while our hard working military were at risk of not getting paid for a job well done. In addition is the recent news media revelation that a congressional fund sustained by tax payer dollars, has been used to settle sexual harassment claims made against our elected politicians. Such misuse of tax payer money screams for full disclosure and the termination of all such funds.
Reportedly Congress has paid out more than 17 Million Dollars in the last 20 years to resolve claims of sexual harassment, discrimination and other cases. This money was paid out of a fund established in 1995 by the Congressional Accountability Act, which also established the Office of Compliance (OOC) that oversees these matters. Specifically how much of the 17 Million Dollars was paid to resolve sexual harassment/discrimination claims remains unknown, as does the identity of the congressmen for whom the money was used to protect.
Unfortunately, this travesty is not confined to the federal level as it apparently exists on the state level as well. In New York State for example, it has been reported that more than 10 Million tax payer dollars have been paid to settle sexual harassment claims within the state government.
In our previous article entitled Sexual Harassment In The Workplace, we detailed the serious problem and unlawful nature of sexual harassment which applies equally to our congressmen. Now that we are all aware of the illicit use of our tax payer dollars, many want to know the identity of all the politicians that benefited from such use of funds. Proponents for revealing names, believe that taxpayers have the right to know what their money is used for and who is using their money. Opponents argue that in the law, a settlement of a claim is not evidence of or tantamount to an admission of liability, or having committed the alleged acts. Further that if names are revealed, public bias will render the careers of such politicians dead on arrival, effectively negating the all important presumption of innocence in our country.
While both arguments are credible, in light of the nature of the use of funds and the higher duty congressmen are rightfully held to, perhaps the court of public opinion should be utilized in this matter. If that does transpire and names are revealed, we undoubtedly will be cautioned against conviction based upon allegation and encouraged to error on the side of due process. After all and in the words of John Adams, "We are a nation of laws, not of men."
Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
www.liattorney.com
ce
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