Editorial: Shapiro fails on transparency with staffer harassment complaint
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Quiet, private ends to potentially messy lawsuits or conflicts are common.
They happen in entertainment. Nondisclosure agreements were wielded by convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein, with The New York Times documenting at least eight women. Bill Cosby accuser Andrea Constand’s NDA was a sticking point in the criminal case against the famous TV dad.
They happen in media. NDAs were part of revelations about harassment claims against former Fox CEO Roger Ailes and former Fox personality Bill O’Reilly, as well as NBC morning anchor Matt Lauer.
They definitely happen in politics. Stormy Daniels famously had one regarding her relationship with Donald Trump.
And these are just a few of the cases that have come to light amid big, often explosive revelations. We have no idea how many other NDAs are still in force, protecting other powerful or wealthy people.
We have to accept that when it comes to private entities like Weinstein’s production company or Fox News or individuals like Cosby. We do not have to accept it when it comes to government. Indeed, it should not be possible. All too often, it is.
Between 2010 and 2019, $3.2 million in public money was paid to satisfy dozens of sexual harassment complaints against government or affiliated individuals including legislators and police officers. Former Penbrook mayor and Pennsylvania Department of Revenue official Albert Forlizzi II was among the most prominent; his advances against a female state employee ended in criminal charges, probation and a $900,000 settlement.
What is the resolution of the claims against Gov. Josh Shapiro’s former aide Mike Vereb? On Friday, Spotlight PA reported on a $295,000 settlement signed Sept. 5.
Vereb resigned in September after a sexual harassment report to the state’s Human Relations Commission dated May 26 was circulated in the Capitol, according to Spotlight PA. A female staffer said inappropriate behavior began in January. By March, she quit. Shapiro did not address it until Oct. 5.
Spotlight PA initially reported Oct. 13 on a settlement agreement in the case that contains a confidentiality clause preventing Shapiro’s office or the other party from commenting.
This is wrong for multiple reasons.
First, the taxpayers have an absolute right to know how their money is being spent. No one sends money to Harrisburg with the expectation it is used for silencing accusers.
Second, the people likewise have a right to know what is happening in the offices of their government.
But, perhaps most seriously, the governor has a responsibility toward honesty and transparency. Shapiro has been a political animal since the moment he stepped onto the state stage and has orchestrated his rise seamlessly. It is not surprising he would handle such a controversy with ease.
What he owes the issue and the people of Pennsylvania is a full-throated condemnation of sexual harassment in the workplace and bright lights shining into every corner of his administration to root it out. He shouldn’t acquiesce to requests for information; he should volunteer it.
On Jan. 17, leading up to Shapiro’s swearing-in, we commented on the missed opportunity for full transparency in his administration that started with NDAs regarding his transition team.
The governor now doesn’t just need encouragement to let the sun shine into his office. It must be a demand for his administration to be better regarding the issue of sexual harassment and do better when it comes to transparency.
Editor’s note: A previous version identified Forlizzi as a Wolf administration official. The Wolf administration handled the settlement in his case but Forlizzi was a prior administration employee.