Investigation: Oregon lawmakers lax on stopping sexual harassment

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – A state investigation released Thursday finds Oregon lawmakers didn’t do enough to stop sexual harassment in the Capitol.

As a result, the five-month investigation by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, known as BOLI, concludes the state Capitol is a hostile workplace, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.

The findings largely align with the complaint Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian filed in August on behalf of four women who said they had been harassed in the Capitol.

The report echoes Avakian’s initial complaint that top lawmakers haven’t done enough to curb harassment they knew or should have known was occurring. As the complainant in the case, Avakian didn’t participate in the investigation.

But OPB said the new report comes at an unusual time: Avakian is about to leave office.

On Monday, Labor Commissioner-elect Val Hoyle will take control of BOLI, and so will likely dictate whether the bureau seeks consequences for the Legislature. She has not said how she plans to handle the matter, OPB reported.