Iowa Senate Republicans plan their own investigation into sexual harassment allegations that led to a recent $2.2 million jury award in favor of a fired Senate GOP staff member.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix told Iowa Capitol reporters Friday about the investigation following a two-hour, closed-door meeting with Senate Republicans, according to news reports by Radio Iowa, Iowa Public Radio and the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

“There were issues learned in the trial as the result of testimony that I was not aware of and, as a result, there is an investigation taking place to learn about those allegations,” Dix said. “If we learn that they are truthful, we will move swiftly to address them in the appropriate manner.”

The investigation is being led by Charles Smithson, secretary of the Senate, and is being overseen by Iowa Senate President Jack Whitver, R-Ankeny, who is also a lawyer.

Neither Dix, Smithson or Whitver responded to requests for comment on Monday.

Attorneys representing lawsuit plaintiff Kirsten Anderson, a former communications director for the Senate Republican caucus, filed a motion last week arguing that GOP caucus leaders have done nothing to curb an ongoing toxic environment of sexual harassment that was exposed through a weeklong trial. Anderson alleged in her lawsuit that she was dismissed just seven hours after complaining of caucus staff misconduct.

If a judge approves the motion, the caucus would be ordered to hire an independent consultant to complete an investigation and write a report on all the "complaints and issues" raised through almost three years of litigation. Republican Senate leaders would also be required to hire a consultant to develop new policies and training designed to stop sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation against employees who speak out.

Sen. Rick Bertrand, R-Sioux City, who attended Friday's caucus meeting, said he bluntly asked Dix to resign during the session, but the Senate majority leader did not respond. (Bertrand had previously requested Dix resign.)

Bertrand said decisive action is needed by Senate GOP caucus leaders in response to the court trial and jury award.

"I just stressed that I am not sure how we can make the personnel changes that are required with current leadership," he said.

No leadership changes were made at the meeting, according to news reports.

Several Senate Democrats said Monday they don't believe Smithson should be conducting the investigation because he is a political appointee hired after Republicans won control of the Senate in last November's elections.

"Charlie Smithson serves at the pleasure of Senate Republicans and this is not an appropriate role for him," said Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines.