Government

Senate President Refuses to Confirm Whether Senator Payne Responded to Sexual Harassment Allegation, Next Steps Now in Hands of Frett-Gregory, Sen. Francis Says

The Office of the Senate President today issued a statement on the investigation into a sexual harassment allegation made against Senator Steven Payne by one of his employees, but the statement failed to give an update on the latest developments, citing an effort to keep matters regarding the probe confidential. Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory told the Consortium Monday afternoon that the report of an investigatory team, which includes Senate Vice President Novelle Francis and the executive director of the Legislature, was placed on her desk Monday and that she could not comment on whether Mr. Payne had responded until she saw the report. Today, Ms. Frett-Gregory refused to comment on whether Mr. Payne had responded. Yet Mr. Francis told the Consortium Tuesday afternoon that the report was submitted to Ms. Frett-Gregory Monday and that it includes a response from Mr. Payne, though he said it was not his place to comment on Mr. Payne's response. "The executive director and I sent...