More On The Sexual Harassment Claim: Tanzi

NARRAGANSETT, RI— No names have surfaced yet, but there could be a federal elected official, as well as a state official, who made remarks about a state lawmaker.

The Providence Journal reported on Monday that Teresa Tanzi posted comments on social media to the effect she had experienced harassment at the Statehouse. According to the story, Tanzi, D-South Kingstown and Narragansett, had been told her bills would fare better if she provided sexual favors. Then, she told a Boston news station, a federal elected official also made some remarks.

State Rep. Bobby Nardolillo called on the Rhode Island Congressional delegation to deny any involvement. His press release is as follows:

Nardolillo, himself a candidate for the US Senate in 2018, has taken note of the charges leveled this week by his colleague in the RI House, Teresa A. Tanzi (D - Dist 34). Last Monday Ms. Tanzi alleged that she was told by her superiors in House Leadership that any offer of sexual favors on her part would result in more success with any Bill she sponsored. She refused, however, to identify her harasser or harassers. She reiterated that charge to Boston TV Station, Channel 7. In that interview Tanzi also offered that 'Federally-Elected' officials in Washington had made similarly crude and sexually harassing comments to her.

"Teresa was very brave to speak out, which is extremely difficult." Rep Nardolillo said in response to Ms. Tanzi's assertions. "I support her wholeheartedly. Now we need to address these wrongdoings to prevent anything like them from ever happening again."

"Naturally I am most concerned with the implication that federal legislators also engaged in this kind of unacceptable behavior." He continued. Nardolillo acknowledged that the very general term used in the Boston TV interview could refer to any of the 435 Members of the US House or the 100 Members of the Senate. "Of course local interest is focused on Rhode Island's four federal legislators." Mr. Nardolillo noted. "I call on all four of them to publicly deny that they are the source of Rep. Tanzi's allegation.

Today Tanzi said the federal official is not from Rhode Island, according to WPRI-TV.