Friday, January 23, 2009
Kotz / Legislature / Politics Cowardly Move: Kent Williams Lawyers Up on Sexual Harassment Claims
Posted by Pete Kotz on Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 5:50 AM
Nine times out of 10, it's unadultered bullshit. And if we asked Vegas, I'm guessing the smart money would bet that Tennessee House Speaker Kent Williams is well outside the margin of error with his defense against sexual harassment claims.
Williams stands accused of approaching Rep. Susan Lynn in the legislative garage and telling her, "I will give a week's pay just to see you naked." Rep. Debra Maggart says he leered at her breasts in the same garage.
Who knows if it's true? Republicans waited two years to secret the claims to reporters--and only after Williams turned against them. So much for family values. Then again, it's perfectly common for sexual harassment claims to rise long after the incident occurred. Victims are usually reluctant for this kind of attention.
But from the way Williams is hiding, I'm guessing he's guilty. Very guilty...
To be accused of being a pervert is no small thing. Your wife and kids are embarrassed. Women look at you with a sense of contempt. Even friends are reluctant to bring their daughters near. So if you're innocent, you're going to make your case as loudly and as thoroughly as you can. No pointy-head lawyer is going to stop you. For this is a fight much bigger than law. It's about honor.
But all Williams can say is some variation of this: "I've been told by our legal staff that I'm not allowed. I'm prohibited to talk about it."
Translation: "I got nothing. Please don't notice that I'm cowering behind some lawyers."
Williams may have done the work of the saints in outsmarting that batch of crazy that is the Mumpower Faction. But in the end, we traded a nut for a pervert. And given the state of the Tennessee House, the pervert is actually an upgrade.
Comments (2)
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You incorrectly stated that "Republicans waited two years to secret the claims to reporters--and only after Williams turned against them." The truth is all of this was well known at the time it occured two years ago (are you too lazy to Google?), Representative Lynn wanted the actions stopped but not taken public both then and now, and it was journalists who brought this back up and that filed for a release of records to obtain information about this case.
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I have never seen such a pious state where incest, rape, and abuse of women is taken so, so....., lightly. SO WHAT? It is reflected in the Legislature, and sifts down to the policies and neglect which is a pattern that is rampent in police departments and governments across Tennessee. The haughty who espouse high morals and want to legislate same are the same seedy characters who fill the bars and strip club parking lots. It is time for change, ....err, well past time for change!
