New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
Michelle Lynn Lujan Grisham The new governor of Mexico signs legislation on marijuana. New Mexico Ends Qualified Immunity on Route: How Marijuana Became Mainstream MORE (D) allegedly reached a settlement with a former spokeswoman for her 2018 governorship campaign accusing her of unwanted sexual behavior.
The settlement was first reported by The Albuquerque Journal Monday, who reported that her campaign made at least $ 62,500 in payments to a James Hallinan law firm.
In December 2019, Hallinan accused the governor of throwing water on his cross and grabbing it through his clothes in front of other staff members during a 2018 campaign meeting.
Rachel Berlin Benjamin, representing Hallinan, told The Hill: “Governor Lujan Grisham and Mr. Hallinan have resolved any differences or issues to their satisfaction. I can provide no further information.”
The Journal reported that Lujan Grisham’s campaign from November to March made five monthly payments of $ 12,500 listed as legal fees.
Jared Leopold, a spokesman for Lujan Grisham’s campaign, told the Journal that the payments were a number of dubious and disputed potential claims that Mr. Hallinan made as a result of his service in 2018 with the campaign organization and his subsequent job search. ‘
He added that Lujan Grisham and her campaign had “denied” the allegations and entered into the settlement to avoid “ongoing diversion and significant costs of possible lawsuits”.
Lujan Grisham’s Press Secretary Nora Meyers Sackett said Axios “The state has no comment, as these are not official state matters. Our office maintains that the allegations are not meritorious. ”
The Hill reached out to Lujan Grisham’s office and commented.
The settlement comes as co-democratic governor. Andrew Cuomo
Andrew Cuomo The new governor of Mexico signs marijuana legalization bill As the Chauvin trial continues, the US must rediscover public safety. Police reforms are a minefield, even in progressive communities. of New York fights allegations of sexual misconduct of his own. Lujan Grisham tells The Washington Post in early March that the allegations were of concern and that they should be taken seriously.
Lujan Grisham is the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) and at one point considered joining President Biden
Joe BidenTrump: McConnell ‘helpless’ to prevent Biden from suing Biden, first lady sends ‘warmest greetings’ to Muslims for Ramadan. The case for child care reform MOREsee cabinet.
The DGA did not return The Hill’s request for comment, but the Republican Governors’ Association rejected the settlement and called on Lujan Grisham to apologize.
“The payments certainly indicate that there must be some truth in the story, and Governor Lujan Grisham must publicly apologize to her victim for her behavior,” said Republican Governors Association spokesman Will Reinert. said in a statement.