October 4, 2018 News & Press Releases

Corey Stewart’s Bogus Sexual Harassment Claims Fact-Checked as FALSE by Virginia Media


by DPVA Press Office

STEWART’S BOGUS SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIMS FACT-CHECKED AS FALSE BY VIRGINIA MEDIA

Richmond, VA -- In recent debates and in a new radio ad, Corey Stewart has repeatedly pushed false smears against Senator Tim Kaine and has misled Virginians about sexual harassment settlements in Congress. His lies have now drawn fact-checks by Virginia media, debunking Stewart’s claims. What’s more, as NBC4 points outeven Stewart himself admits there is no evidence for his claims – Stewart in his own words: “Do we have any specific allegations? No, we don’t.”

WATCH NBC4’S INVESTIGATION:

  • NBC4’s Julie Carey: “[Stewart] used a question about the Kavanaugh hearing to talk about alleged sexual harassment by members of Congress, even implying Senator Tim Kaine could be involved….Today, a radio ad with the same theme – Stewart asking how Kaine can criticize Judge Kavanaugh when there could be Senators who have been accused of harassment...But Stewart has admitted he has no evidence to tie Kaine to any harassment claims.”​​​
  • Carey: “What’s more, Stewart’s characterization of the settlements as payouts for sexual harassment is inaccurate. The majority of the monetary awards were to settle other types of employment disputes, and on behalf of all Capitol Hill employees.”

WATCH CBS6’S INVESTIGATION:

  • CBS6’s Jake Burns: “During the People’s Debate, Corey Stewart repeatedly said Congress has paid out millions of dollars in taxpayer money to settle sexual misconduct claims against their members...Stewart appears to get the number $17 million from a report by the Office of Compliance. Released last November, the report does say Congress has paid out that amount in settlements since the 1990’s. But contrary to Stewart’s statement, the report states “a large number” of the cases involve legislative employees, not members of Congress. It also notes the settlements are not solely related to sexual harassment claims.”