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Kihuen Staffers Sending Resumes to Other Offices Following Sexual Harassment Allegation

Rep. Ruben Kihuen (D., Nev.) / Getty
December 5, 2017

Staffers in the office of Rep. Ruben Kihuen (D., Nev.) are shooting out resumes to other Democratic offices on Capitol Hill with the understanding their boss might be in trouble following a sexual harassment allegation.

Kihuen’s chief of staff, Peter Koltak, sent out an email to other Democratic offices in Congress with the resumes of most of the office's staff, Politico reports.

"I’m hoping to place them all here pretty quickly in other offices," Koltak's email said. "If you have openings or you hear of any, I would appreciate your help making those connections. I’m happy to talk with anyone at any time about each person. I would highly recommend any of them."

Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), have called for Kihuen's resignation in the wake of a sexual harassment harassment from a 2016 campaign staffer.

"In Congress, no one should face sexual harassment in order to work in an office or in a campaign. The young woman’s documented account is convincing, and I commend her for the courage it took to come forward," Pelosi said in a statement after talking with Kihuen. "In light of these upsetting allegations, Congressman Kihuen should resign."

Two Democratic aides noted that in offices facing scandal, staffers often start looking for other jobs early on, and the email is not necessarily indicative of the congressman's plan to leave office.

Kihuen has not publically indicated he plans to resign from office as he deals with the scandal.

The woman who accused Kihuen of harassment worked as a finance director on the congressman's 2016 campaign. She told BuzzFeed News that when he was a candidate, Kihuen made sexual advances toward her, including touching her thigh without consent and suggesting they get a hotel room together.