Orange, Calif. — In response to four legal claims of sexual harassment within the Orange County District Attorney’s office, Democratic Party of Orange County Chairwoman Ada Briceño today publicly called on the Orange County Office of Independent Review (OIR) to launch an independent investigation of the allegations.
The call for an investigation comes on the heels of President Biden and cities across Orange County proclaiming April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Of the call to investigation, Chairwoman Briceño stated:
“Sexual Assault Awareness Month calls upon all of us to be bold and take action. An independent review of the District Attorney’s office is needed to build the trust that all of us — including Orange County’s victims of sexual assault and harassment — desperately need.”
Four female prosecutors in the District Attorney’s office filed legal claims alleging that they, as well as a 16 year-old intern, were sexually harassed by staff who were later promoted against staff recommendations. The claims also allege Spitzer retaliated against a victim, and that the abusive behavior was known among senior staff for years.
President Biden’s proclamation declares in part, “we must work toward a society that upholds every person’s right to live free from sexual violence — where our institutions and communities commit to preventing sexual assault and sexual harassment, supporting survivors, and holding offenders accountable.”
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For Immediate Release: April 29, 2021
Media contact: rachel@ocdemocrats.org