The Director of Missouri's Agriculture Department has resigned at the request of Governor Matt Blunt.
According to the Governor's office, Blunt requested Ferrell's resignation today, amid allegations Ferrell sexually harassed an employee.
"When I first learned of this inappropriate behavior, I believed that through an apology, discipline, significant sensitivity training and a fine, it might be possible for the Director to continue in his position. Prior to this week, it was the general belief that the issues involving the Missouri Agriculture Director were being resolved in a manner consistent with the goals of all parties involved with these very disappointing events. It has now become apparent that he can no longer lead the department effectively and I have today asked for and accepted his resignation," said Blunt in a statement.
A secretary, Heather Elder, has filed court papers against Ferrell. She's accusing him of making sexual comments and frequently hugging her, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
From Virginia Young's piece:
The secretary, Heather Elder, 36, said that Ferrell, 66, had placed his cheek on her cheek and made comments such as "How is my beautiful girl today?" and "How's my princess?" He once said he would like to see her in a wet T-shirt contest, according to the suit. In response, Ferrell, a farmer from Charleston, Mo., issued a statement saying that he had apologized to Elder. Ferrell said he "never meant to hurt anyone by my actions. I have made amends to her and everyone involved, and I am grateful for the lessons I have learned from this experience."
Sunday, the Democratic Party put out a letter from a group of female lawmakers calling on Blunt to explain why he kept Ferrell in his position.
"We, the undersigned women legislators, on behalf of female state employees and women throughout the state, are writing to demand an explanation of your decision to keep a departmental director in power who you knew was guilty of repeated sexually inappropriate comments and actions. In addition, you must explain how, and under what authority, you decided to authorize a large payment to one of the victims in an attempt to keep any of this from becoming public. Your decision to keep this man in power, potentially leaving other female employees in harms way, while you worked to keep his actions secret from the public violated the public trust and merits a full public accounting."
Senator Joan Bray, Senator Jolie Justus, Representative Margaret Donnelly, Representative Robin Wright-Jones, Representative Patricia M. Yaeger, Representative Gina Walsh and
Representative Jene M. Lowe signed the letter.
Jason Rosenbaum over at The Columbia Tribune Politics Blog has a wrap-up of all the events.
For now, Deputy Director Matt Boatright will serve as Interim Director. A search for a new director will begin immediately.
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