Court Decides Durham Sexual Harassment Investigation Report Can Be Released

Findings from an investigation into sexual harassment claims involving state Rep. Jeremy Durham can be made public as scheduled on Wednesday. The Franklin Republican had sued to keep the Attorney General’s report from being released. But Davidson County Chancellor Russell Perkins ruled Tuesday afternoon that Durham hasn’t shown there’s a compelling reason to interfere with the legislature’s work.

Durham argued that the report would harm his re-election campaign, just two days before the start of early voting. Steven Hart from the attorney general’s office says voters already know the sexual harassment allegations, and they deserve to find out if there’s anything to them.
           

“The voting public is served by transparency,” Hart said. “They are not served by denying them the report of this investigation and even denying them Representative Durham’s opportunity to respond to that investigation.”

A committee of state lawmakers is scheduled to meet Wednesday morning to review what has been found after interviewing dozens of staffers and lobbyists at the state capitol.

Durham’s attorney, Bill Harbison, says the investigation is political and unlawful. He says the attorney general doesn’t have the right to investigate a member of the legislature — even if asked to do so by state lawmakers.

“If it can happen to one person, it can happen to anyone,” he said. “We have rules that we follow and ordinary processes, and we’re maintaining in this case that those — no rules have been followed in this process.”

Durham’s attorney released a statement following the injunction denial, saying his client is considering “all legal remedies available.”