An external review of sexual misconduct allegations against state Sen. Daylin Leach erupted into a war of words Thursday between Leach and Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, who called for the Montgomery County Democrat’s resignation.

Over the course of a single hour, Leach released a slideshow presentation he claimed exonerated him of any wrongdoing, Costa broke his silence in calling for Leach to resign and Leach accused Costa of orchestrating a coverup.

“What we have already seen from the independent review shows irresponsible behavior and an unacceptable workplace for the staff of this caucus,” said Costa, D-Allegheny County, in a written statement. “Senator Leach’s course of conduct created an unprofessional and sexualized environment. That should not be tolerated in any workplace; we will not tolerate it here.”

In January, Costa called on the Harrisburg-based law firm Eckert Seamans to investigate the various claims against Leach after a woman came forward with an allegation dating to 1991.

Michael McAuliffe Miller, the lead attorney behind the probe, briefed Leach and the rest of the Senate Democratic caucus in separate meetings on Wednesday afternoon, according to Leach. Miller did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On Thursday, Leach provided PennLive a copy of a slideshow presentation outlining Miller’s findings and posted the same document to his Facebook page. PennLive could not independently confirm the veracity of the document.

According to the document, investigators tried to interview 19 witnesses, two of whom declined and four who could not be located.

On the most recent allegation lodged by Cara Taylor, who claimed Leach coerced her to perform oral sex in 1991 when he represented her mother in a criminal case, the document reported “certain factual inconsistencies in Ms. Taylor’s recollection of events.” It concluded that the accusations “may only be resolved through a contested hearing held under oath.”

The document concluded there was “no evidence of actionable discrimination or harassment in violation of applicable law or caucus policies" but that Leach’s humor “was immature and unprofessional.” Such jokes, the document found, “have the potential to create a hostile work environment.”

That summary recommended, among other things, additional training in sexual harassment and hostile work environments.

Leach told PennLive on Thursday that Miller left the document with him and went on to brief the Senate Democratic caucus at large. The lawmaker was initially told he would speak to his colleagues after the presentation, he said, but that never happened.

Instead, a representative of Costa’s office later came to ask for the document back and Leach refused, the lawmaker said. Costa then reportedly told Leach that Eckert Seamans would conduct several more interviews. According to Leach, Costa asked him not to make the slideshow summary public.

“[Costa] said, ‘If you release this report, we’ll go after you with everything we have,' ” he said.

Leach said his decision to release the document anyway spurred Costa’s sudden call for his resignation, describing the situation as a cover-up.

“He asked me to go along with this utter fabrication,” Leach said.

The lawmaker added: “You can’t change the standard because you don’t like the result. I’ve never seen this thing where you don’t like the result [so] you investigate again.”

Costa spokeswoman Brittany Crampsie declined further comment about the situation, the slideshow summary or Leach’s allegations against Costa.

Leach, who has maintained his innocence, filed a civil suit against Taylor and several others earlier this year. He said depositions are being taken on that case this summer.

Carrie Goldberg, who represents Taylor, said in a written statement that she expects the Senate Democratic caucus to take the findings of the report arrive at its own punishment.

“We are astonished that the private law firm leading the investigation felt Leach’s 28 years of sexual misconduct could be cured by mere sexual harassment training,” she said.

Michael Berry, an attorney representing two of the defendants in that case, said the summary Leach made public “underscores that he created an unprofessional and sexualized environment.” He also said that nothing in that summary absolves Leach.

On Thursday, Leach said he’s doesn’t believe he will be disciplined by his colleagues because he hasn’t broken any rules.

“You don’t get to discipline people you don’t like,” he said. “Maybe I won’t get invited to the caucus dinner but, if [Costa] does anything to adversely affect my constituents, I’ll go ballistic.”

This article was updated to include comment from lawyers for the defendants in Leach’s civil case.

The document Leach provided is included below:

Wallace McKelvey may be reached at wmckelvey@pennlive.com. Follow him on Twitter @wjmckelvey. Find PennLive on Facebook.

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