The leaders of the Oregon House of Representatives said Friday that they've fielded complaints of harassment against a male lawmaker in the House as well as male staff members and lobbyists.

House Speaker Tina Kotek said two people made informal complaints to her about the conduct of Rep. David Gomberg.

"While our legal advisors did not believe the behavior rose to the level of formal workplace harassment, we nonetheless took these incidents very seriously," Kotek said in a statement.

"Without going into the specifics of the incidents in order to protect the requested confidentiality of the complainants, I will say that I directly addressed the issues with Rep. Gomberg, and he sought outside support to gain better awareness of his behavior and the impact it has on other individuals," Kotek said. "The issues were addressed to the satisfaction of the complainants."

She continued: "Still, as a woman and as a person in a position of leadership, I know firsthand that we must do better."

Gomberg, a Democrat who represents much of the central Oregon coast, said Friday that the complaints against him involved conduct that included "inappropriate humor or inappropriate touching," invasion of "personal space," and hugging. He said the incidents occurred several years ago, and he is unsure who made the complaints or what specific incidents they objected to.

Gomberg said he met with Kotek following the complaints and took "serious and immediate steps to adjust my behavior," including counseling.

Gomberg, a lawmaker since 2013, said he is sorry for crossing boundaries.

"I believe everyone is entitled a workplace free of discomfort or harassment," he said. "I believe Oregonians should expect the model of behavior from elected officials, and I've worked hard to maintain that standard."

"I want to say to anyone in the Capitol community that I may have offended or made the least bit uncomfortable that I am fully and sincerely sorry," Gomberg said.

In a joint interview Friday, Kotek and House Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson, Portland Democrats who have held those leadership roles since at least 2015, declined to name other men whom women complained about and declined to give details about the nature of the allegations.

"I'm not going to share anything that was shared with me in confidence because these are very sensitive issues," said Williamson.

Three women lawmakers, all former or current senators, have reported to legislative human resource officials or The Oregonian/OregonLive that they were subject to unwanted touching during Senate committee meetings or floor sessions.

But Kotek and Williamson were the first to say publicly that a male member of the House also faced such accusations.

The House has been led by a woman, Kotek, since 2013, and the House majority leader has also been a female throughout that time period.

House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland.

Kotek said her goal has always been to resolve problems "to the satisfaction of the person who's brought the complaint" and said she believes her office has done that.

The two women and Rep. Jodi Hack, the top House Republican woman, also said a culture of sexual harassment and sexism is omnipresent in the Oregon Capitol and that change must be made.

"It's pervasive," Kotek said.

The lawmakers circulated a letter Friday signed by more than 100 current and former female lawmakers, lobbyists and staff members who pledged to take a stand against workplace harassment.

"Changing any culture, including this institution's culture, starts at the top. And that's what this letter is about," Williamson said.

Williamson said she has experienced "hundreds" of incidents that made her uncomfortable while at a variety of jobs. Harassment is so common, she said, it is too difficult to point to one incident as an example of the kind of conduct women in politics endure.

Hack, a Salem Republican, said women in politics experience harassment almost daily. "Over time you have to let things roll off in order to fit in," she said.

Oregon's Capitol has been in the spotlight for a week since Sen. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, made accusation on Twitter that a male lawmaker groped her. She told The Oregonian/OregonLive Monday that lawmaker is Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg.

In an extensive interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive, Kruse acknowledged he patted and hugged women in the Capitol but denied inappropriate contact.

Senate President Peter Courtney stripped Kruse of his committee assignments after Gelser reported unwanted touching for the second time in two years. The sanctions against Kruse prevent him from shaping legislation, which takes place in committees.

Senate Majority Leader Ginny Burdick, also a Portland Democrat, said she witnessed Kruse inappropriately touch a female staffer on the Senate floor years ago, and said she also saw Kruse inappropriately wrap his arms around Gelser and stand too close to her this year. Former Sen. Jackie Dingfelder told The Oregonian/OregonLive Thursday that Kruse inappropriately put a hand on her back in 2011 or 2012. Dingfelder said she told Kruse to never touch her again and he complied.

In the interview Friday, Kotek and Williamson said Capitol training on sexual harassment and workplace equity has gotten better in recent years, but there is only so much they can do. Lawmakers can't police the conduct of lobbyists, Williamson said.

Kotek said there "clearly" should be more workplace conduct training. Aaron Fielder, her spokesman, said the Legislature also plans to hire a consultant to review personnel rules.

"There's a lot of room for improvement," Kotek said.

-- Gordon R. Friedman

503-221-8209; @GordonRFriedman