L’Italien Says Koh Failed Sexual Harassment Victim

ANDOVER, MA -- State Sen. Barbara L'Italien (D-Andover) said one of her opponents in the races to replace U.S. Rep. Nikki Tsongas failed to protect a sexual harassment victim when he was Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s chief of staff. L'Italien said Dan Koh didn't "do the right thing" when a former HHS chief Felix J. Arroyo of sexual harassment last July Boston health and human services employee accused. The woman claimed Arroyo, who was suspended and eventually fired because of the complaint, inappropriately groped her and made sexually suggestive comments.

"That was his chance to stand up and do the right thing, and he didn’t do it as evidenced by the fact that there is a lawsuit against the city of Boston and he is named in that lawsuit," L'Italien said in an interview with Boston Herald Radio, which first reported this story. "I think it speaks volumes about someone’s leadership. I think it speaks volumes about their moral compass. I think it speaks volumes about whether they have a backbone."

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Patch file photo.