Connecticut Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty on Monday called for an ethics review into her own handling of misconduct allegations against her former chief of staff, multiple outlets are reporting.
Esty sent a letter to the House Ethics Committee for an audit to determine if she acted improperly in her handling of charges against Tony Baker, whom continued on Esty's payroll for three months after the congresswoman learned of the threats of violence he allegedly made to another staffer, Anna Kain.
"I have apologized for my mistakes in the handling of this matter," Esty said Monday. "I feel terribly for the victim of abuse. In seeking this inquiry, I want to clarify whether there was any wrongdoing on my part."
Baker threatened to kill Kain, with whom he had a relationship, in a voicemail. Baker was also given a $5,000 severance to depart and a recommendation letter that he used to gain employment with Sandy Hook Promise, a gun control group.
Baker also allegedly punched Kain, but he has denied that much.
"Although we worked with the House Employment Counsel to investigate and ultimately dismiss this employee for his outrageous behavior with a former staffer, I believe it is important for the House Ethics Committee to conduct its own inquiry into this matter," Esty said in a statement.
Esty, to this point, has resisted calls for her to resign in what's being labeled as a cover-up by her.
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