Page 9 - DESPA

A4 U.S. NEWS
Thursday 30 November 2017

Lawyer: Conyers has no plan to resign amid harassment claims

By COREY WILLIAMS Associated Press hasn’t doors before being driven Conyers first was elected to said his son, John Conyers
MIKE HOUSEHOLDER released her name. And away in the afternoon as the U.S. House in 1964. He III.
Associated Press a third ex-staffer, Deanna reporters gathered outside missed two roll-call votes He noted, however: “And
DETROIT (AP) — Embattled of course, with sexual as-
U.S. Rep. John Conyers has sault, women are to be be-
no plans to resign amid lieved. But in this instance
allegations that the con- he has no history of this.”
gressman sexually harassed Conyers told Reed that
several women when they fears for his family over me-
worked on his staff, his law- dia coverage prompted
yer said Wednesday. his return to Detroit late
Detroit-area attorney Ar- Tuesday from Washington.
nold Reed told The Associ- Reed said the congress-
ated Press that the 88-year- man will return to Wash-
old Conyers is going to fight ington when he feels it’s
claims that he inappropri- safe to go back. The House
ately touched the women Ethics Committee is inves-
and that anyone making tigating Conyers, who an-
the allegations should be nounced Sunday that he
prepared to back them up. would step aside as the top
Reed has said Conyers de- Democrat on the Judiciary
nies wrongdoing. Committee. House Minority
Last week, BuzzFeed News Leader Nancy Pelosi pres-
reported that Conyers had sured Conyers behind the
settled a complaint in 2015 scenes to leave the cham-
from a woman on his staff ber, according to a senior
who alleged she was fired House aide, who spoke
because she rejected his late Tuesday on condition
sexual advances. Monica Conyers, wife of Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., speaks to the media outside her home of anonymity to discuss pri-
BuzzFeed reported that Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, in Detroit. Rep. Conyers is being pressured by some in Washington to vate conversations. Also
Conyers’ office paid the resign. Rep. Conyers recently stepped down from his post as top Democrat on the House Judiciary Tuesday, members of the
woman more than $27,000 Committee after facing allegations of sexual harassment by former staffers. Congressional Black Cau-
in the confidential settle- (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) cus met with Conyers and
ment. BuzzFeed also pub- explained to one of their
lished affidavits from former Maher, said Tuesday that in the gated driveway. late Tuesday and was pho- founding members why he
staff members who said 1997 Conyers undressed to Monica Conyers told re- tographed by a passenger should resign, but stressed
they had witnessed Cony- his underwear in front of her porters that her husband is boarding a flight to Detroit the decision was up to him,
ers touching female staffers and twice touched her leg entitled to have the judicial from Washington. the senior House aide said.
inappropriately or request- inappropriately. process play out “before “It’s very unfortunate to On Wednesday, Rep. Kath-
ing sexual favors. Reed said he met with we start being his judge see him fight so long for so leen Rice walked out of a
A former scheduler filed a Conyers, who was at his and jury ... and tarnish all of many people and to auto- Democratic Caucus meet-
complaint earlier this year, Detroit home Wednesday these years of his legacy for matically have the allega- ing, saying the issue wasn’t
but later dropped it. The and mostly remained in- nothing.” tions assumed to be true,” being taken seriously.q

After accusations, Moore’s Senate bid focuses on abortion

By KIM CHANDLER caused, Moore has ham- Jones will give us another paign has been hit by ac- supports keeping the law
Associated Press mered Democratic rival #ProChoice, pro-abortion cusations of sexual miscon- as it is. “I believe the deci-
HENAGAR, Ala. (AP) — Re- Doug Jones by juxtapos- #RuthBaderGinsburg style duct, decades ago, made sion she makes should be
publican Roy Moore, his ing Moore’s desire to one judge on SCOTUS. We can’t by women who were then hers that she can make
Senate bid stung by allega- day outlaw abortion al- let that happen,” Moore’s teenagers. The Republi- alone or in consultation
tions of sexual misconduct, together against Jones’ campaign tweeted Tues- can has vehemently de- with her family, her physi-
is seeking to steer the Ala- support of abortion rights. day. Democrats often face nied the accusations. The cian, her faith. That’s what
bama race to hot-button Moore’s campaign even long odds in this conserva- state’s voters next year will I think. I don’t think I should
social issues highlighted by suggested on social me- tive Southern state where decide on a proposal that be making that decision for
his opposition to abortion. dia that Jones, if elected, opposition to abortion cuts would add anti-abortion her. I doggone don’t be-
Newly back on the cam- would seek to put another across socioeconomic, language to the Alabama lieve Roy Moore should be
paign trail since the up- pro-abortion justice on the gender and racial lines. Constitution. Jones has said making that decision for
roar the accusations Supreme Court. “#Abortion Meanwhile, Moore’s cam- he is pro-abortion rights. He her,” Jones said.q