Ex-lawmaker accused of harassment by lobbyist: 'She can go to hell'

A former South Dakota lobbyist says an ex-lawmaker should be denied a state appointment because of inappropriate comments he made to her in 2012.

Tiffany Campbell, a former lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union, sent emails to every member of the South Dakota Senate this month urging them to block the appointment of Gene Abdallah to the state's Board of Pardons and Paroles.

The 41 year old said Abdallah asked her during the 2012 legislative session if he could accompany her to the restroom when the two were discussing legislation at Bob's Bar, an after-hours extension of the Capitol for many lawmakers and lobbyists.

She said he told her to lean down before she walked to the restroom and asked, "Can I watch you pee?"

Abdallah, a former U.S. Marshal and state highway patrol superintendent, was representing Sioux Falls' District 10 in the state House at the time. On Monday, he denied the allegation and said he never met Campbell.

“She can go to hell," Abdallah said. “I’ll put my background of 37 years up against anything. If they believe her over me, I don’t want the appointment."

Attorney General Marty Jackley said Monday that he would stick by his appointment despite the concerns from Campbell.

“If Senator Abdallah made such a comment, it would be inappropriate," he said. "However, Senator Abdallah has denied making the comment.”

More: Sexism in the Statehouse: Women detail harassment in Pierre

Abdallah said the allegations were aimed at generating notoriety for Campbell on the heels of a national movement to condemn sexual harassment and assault.

"I resent the fact that she’s using sleazy and gutter politics for some sort of personal gain," Abdallah said in a phone interview Monday. “If she’d spent as much time trying to keep her family together maybe she’d still have them now."

He was referring to Campbell's 2010 divorce.

Campbell became visibly distraught about Abdallah's comments Monday evening. She said she didn't want to come forward about the incident and knew it would likely mean negative attention for her.

"Why would anyone want to do this? Why would anyone want to be publicly known as that person?" Campbell said. "To think that he's going to be appointed to the parole board, I just couldn't stay quiet anymore."

Campbell reported the incident to the House Speaker in 2012 but was told it couldn't be investigated because the incident occurred outside the walls of the Statehouse.

She didn't take her concern any further because she had three pieces of legislation that session and felt she needed to “tread lightly.”

Then-House Speaker Val Rausch, R-Big Stone City, said he remembered speaking with Campbell in 2012 but couldn't recall the details of the conversation.

"I know Tiffany, and I recall she came into my office, but I couldn't tell you what we talked about," he said. "I don't remember any reports to me of any sexual harassment."

Campbell shared her story last month as part of an Argus Leader report on sexism in the Statehouse. She now says she wants lawmakers to know about her experience before they cast their votes.

Campbell emailed Jackley's campaign for governor on Oct. 27. A spokesman told her he would relay the message to Jackley. Campbell said she hasn't heard back since then.

More: Governor, social media respond to reports of sexism, harassment in Pierre

A few lawmakers said in email replies shared with the Argus Leader that they would vote against Abdallah's appointment to the parole board, which makes decisions about whether to grant conditional release to inmates in the state's prison system.

Others said they wanted to bring the issue to Jackley's attention.

"I could not in good conscience vote to approve this appointment given your allegations and the fact that I personally know you and trust what you say to be true," said Sen. Reynold Nesiba, D-Sioux Falls, in an email to Campbell.

He confirmed in a phone call Monday that he would not support the appointment.

Sen. Lance Russell, R-Hot Springs, told Campbell he would ask her to share her story at Abdallah's confirmation hearing early next year. Russell, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, did not return a phone call Monday afternoon.

Jackley's appointment of Abdallah to the board must be confirmed by the Senate.

“I feel like someone who doesn’t respect women shouldn’t be in that role," Campbell said.

Follow Dana Ferguson on Twitter @bydanaferguson, call 605-370-2493 or email dferguson@argusleader.com