House Speaker Beth Harwell said Thursday that, based on a letter from the state attorney general's office, she was directing that Rep. Jeremy Durham's office be in a separate building from other legislators and that he be allowed at the Legislative Plaza only for official business.
The attorney general found a pattern of sexual harassment on the part of Rep. Durham, who has said he plans to seek re-election.
House Speaker Harwell said, “Today I received a memorandum from the Ad Hoc Select Committee regarding Representative Jeremy Durham. Although the Attorney General’s investigation is ongoing, I feel compelled to take proactive steps to protect all parties concerned until the conclusion of the investigation. This is based upon the attached letter from the Attorney General, and the recommendations from the Ad Hoc Select Committee.
“These proactive steps include reassigning Rep. Durham’s office from the War Memorial Building to the ground floor of the Rachel Jackson Building, and limiting his access to the Legislative Plaza, War Memorial Building, Rachel Jackson Building, and 2nd floor of the State Capitol for official legislative business only. These actions will be taken immediately.
“I want the investigation to be thorough and complete. I encourage anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact the Attorney General’s office.”
Click here to read the letter.