Story highlights Rep. Brenda Lawrence wrote proposed legislation on sexual harassment

Unidentified former employees have accused her chief of staff of harassment

(CNN) Michigan Democratic Rep. Brenda Lawrence has placed her chief of staff on administrative leave following accusations of sexual harassment by former staffers in her office.

"It is unfortunate that I am just learning of these allegations by unidentified former employees for the first time," Lawrence said Tuesday in a statement to CNN. "My office will nonetheless take all necessary steps to root out and address any inappropriate behavior."

On Tuesday, Politico published allegations made against Lawrence's chief of staff, Duron Marshall , with accounts from three former female staffers about his treatment of women within the office. In a statement provided to Politico, Marshall denied the allegations, saying he has "never had any kind of complaint filed against me nor have I ever sexually harassed anyone!" CNN has reached out to Marshall for comment and has not yet received a response.

Lawrence in a statement Tuesday says there were occasions where employees brought workplace concerns to her attention, but she was not aware of allegations of sexual harassment.

"Had I been made aware of any concerns about sexual harassment in my office, those concerns would have been promptly investigated and appropriate disciplinary action taken, including termination of employment of any individual engaged in sexually harassing behavior," she said.

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