Did Josh Shapiro's office sexual harassment scandal and the 'cover-up' tank his bid to be Kamala Harris' VP choice?

Days earlier Josh Shapiro was passed complete to go Kamala Harris' moving mate an explosive intersexual harassment ungraded astatine his agency re-emerged, and it could person costs him nan job.

As Governor of Pennsylvania, Shapiro's agency precocious settled a intersexual harassment lawsuit against 1 of his apical aides successful a woody that costs taxpayers $295,000.

It besides progressive nan alleged unfortunate signing nan benignant of all-encompassing secrecy woody that was exposed during nan #MeToo scandal. 

Shapiro's handling of nan harassment lawsuit past twelvemonth was group to ignite questions complete Harris's judgement if she picked him arsenic her imaginable Vice President.

It was unclear really important nan ungraded became during Harris' vetting of possiblel moving mates but, successful nan end, she picked Minnesota politician Tim Walz aft Shapiro had been wide viewed arsenic nan favorite.  

Shapiro's agency paid nan money to a female erstwhile worker who had made a drawstring of allegations against a man who had been 1 of his closest governmental friends for 2 decades. 

As portion of nan statement nan woman, and Shapiro's office, signed a non-disclosure statement (NDA).

NDAs, which legally require accusation to beryllium kept confidential, came to nan fore during nan #MeToo era.

Their usage successful cases involving intersexual misconduct successful nan workplace has since been restricted successful astir 20 states - but not successful Pennsylvania.

Mike Vereb, 57, was serving arsenic Shapiro's caput of legislative affairs erstwhile he resigned successful September.

It later emerged that harassment allegations had been made against him six months earlier, but he had remained successful his position.

A connection from nan alleged unfortunate to nan Office of Equal Employment Opportunity was obtained by The Philadelphia Inquirer.

In it she described really Vereb had allegedly suggested that they should person a intersexual relationship.

He allegedly told her: 'If you decided you wanted to do that spell adjacent nan doorway to this office, show maine to crook you complete this convention table, hike up your skirt and… that would beryllium our determination to make.'

She besides accused him of drunkenly telephoning her aft a reception astatine Shapiro's governor’s mansion.

It was alleged that successful nan telephone he again suggested they person sex, and told her he knew really to hide from information cameras successful tunnels underneath nan Pennsylvania Capitol building.

The female said: 'I was uncomfortable pinch really Mike was acting successful nan agency - his changeless sexually charged comments, and really he was addressing work-related issues.'

After making her title nan female near her occupation successful Shapiro's administration.

She besides made a title to nan Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

When nan colony was yet reached location was nary admittance of liability by either Vereb aliases Shapiro's office.

Following nan official's resignation Shapiro's agency publically defended him.

Shapiro's main of unit Dana Fritz said: 'Mike has spent decades serving our Commonwealth. Mike has been a cardinal personnel of our squad and acknowledgment to his dedicated service, nan Governor’s Office is prepared for nan activity ahead. We wish Mike each nan champion and we’re grateful for his service.'

However, a salient Pennsylvania Democrat accused Shapiro of being progressive successful a cover-up.

Erin McClelland, nan Democrat nominee for authorities treasurer successful nan state, wrote connected X: 'If I were successful her (Kamala Harris's) situation, I would deliberation very powerfully astir nan difficulties that immoderate women acquisition being successful a top-level position, and having men astir them that person to beryllium satisfied pinch being second, 3rd aliases answering to a woman.

'I want a VP prime that’s unafraid capable to beryllium 2nd nether a woman, is contented to beryllium VP & won’t undermine nan President to maneuver his ain predetermination & doesn’t expanse intersexual harassment nether nan rug.'

In a connection nan National Women’s Defense League said. 'We merit leaders who will not brushwood intersexual harassment nether nan rug, but will put accountability supra politics.

'We request leaders who prioritize effective policies, protocols and a civilization that prevents intersexual harassment and protects survivors.

'The American group merit to cognize that, if called to a higher office, Governor Shapiro will do much to guarantee nan information and dignity of employees, volunteers and constituents successful his office.'

In a connection to nan Pennsylvania Capital-Star, days earlier becoming Harris's moving mate, Shapiro sought to quell nan scandal.

His spokesperson said Shapiro and his management 'take each allegation of favoritism and harassment highly earnestly and person robust procedures successful spot to thoroughly analyse each reports.'

He said that, arsenic nan state's lawyer general, Shapiro had a way grounds of 'protecting survivors and prosecuting predators' including 'exposing decades of kid intersexual maltreatment and cover-ups wrong nan Catholic Church.'