By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – House Minority Leader Jeff Harris has sent a letter to Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton, asking him to send a strong message that the state won't tolerate sexual harassment. Harris wants Jetton to set up a House Special Committee on Sexual Harassment, which he says would serve two purposes, the first one being an investigation of the claim by Heather Elder against Former Agriculture Director Fred Ferrell,
"Determine where the money came from, that was the basis of the hush money that was offered to the woman who was harassed, to look at the mishandling of this incident."
Harris also wants the special committee to look at potential harassment cases in other state agencies, and to study ways to prevent future incidents.
Jetton says he's received Harris's letter but hasn't had time to fully evaluate it. He told reporters this afternoon that the Missouri House already has a strong sexual harassment policy in place to deal with any potential claims.