Sheila Jackson Lee Accused of Retaliating Against Staffer Who Said Black Caucus Foundation Official Raped Her

A former staffer for Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, has claimed in a lawsuit that she was fired last year in retaliation for legal action the staffer planned to bring against the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) related to an alleged rape in 2015.

In a statement released Thursday, Jackson Lee’s office denied “that it retaliated against, or otherwise improperly treated” the staffer, who is identified in the lawsuit only as “Jane Doe.”

“While we still deny the allegations, we are especially concerned about Ms. Doe and only want the best for her and the many, many young people that the Congressional office has supported, encouraged, and provided opportunities for over 20 years,” the statement concluded.

According to documents filed in federal court in Washington last week, Jane Doe claimed she was raped in October 2015 while she was a CBCF intern by Damien Jones, who was the foundation’s internship program coordinator and her supervisor at the time. The lawsuit was first reported by BuzzFeed News.

Doe reported the alleged assault to police in Washington, D.C., but a criminal investigation proved inconclusive and she did not immediately pursue legal action. She also met with CBCF representatives who asked for all communications between Doe and Jones and told her that Jones was being placed on leave immediately. (Read more from “Sheila Jackson Lee Accused of Retaliating Against Staffer Who Said Black Caucus Foundation Official Raped Her” HERE)

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