Reynolds: Iowa Senate should release details of sexual harassment investigation

Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday said she believes Senate Republicans should release any new details uncovered in their internal investigation of sexual harassment allegations.

"If this is new information that was not brought out through the trial process, then I think that it should be made public," Reynolds told reporters at her weekly press conference Tuesday. "I understand that we need to be cognizant of personal information, but I think there’s a way to do that where you can protect personal information. I think that they need to do that."

The Associated Press reported last week that Senate Republicans had concluded their investigation but said they would not share the results publicly because it's a personnel issue.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix, R-Shell Rock, told reporters at a news conference Tuesday afternoon he has no plans to release the findings of the investigation to the public, despite Reynolds call for him to do so.

"That investigation was taken place with what I believe is the expectation of the employees to provide that information confidentially," he said. "Now if it later is to be determined that doesn't need to be the case, that is something we would review later on ..."

The investigation came after the state of Iowa agreed to pay $1.75 million to settle a lawsuit with former Senate staffer Kirsten Anderson, who claimed she was fired after lodging complaints about a toxic workplace fraught with sexual harassment.

Following the settlement, and amid frustration from some Iowans, Republican leaders also announced plans to create a new human resources position to oversee any future harassment allegations.

Reynolds praised that move. But Dix announced Tuesday afternoon his caucus would reverse course. Instead, he said he plans to hire an outside consultant who could advise whether an internal HR manager is the best course of action.

Dix said he does not know who the caucus will hire, how long it might take to reach a decision or how long it will take to act on that decision.

"We are trying. We really are. We care," Dix said.

Reynolds urged everyone in state government to be mindful of sexual harassment.

"I think in light of what we’re hearing, whether it’s Hollywood or whether it’s the media or whether it’s business or whether it’s elected officials, I think what we’ve seen play out over the last month is just a big big reminder that we all have a role to play in this," Reynolds said. " ... We all need to be diligent in making sure that nobody uses their title or their power to manipulate, harass or in any way abuse not only women but you know, a man, as far as that goes."