#METOO

Nancy Pelosi: Dem Rep. Esty 'Did Not Protect' Alleged Abuse Victim

But the Democratic leader doesn’t call on Esty to resign.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on Monday reprimanded a Democratic colleague after it was revealed that she retained her chief of staff for three months after learning of an alleged threat the aide made to another staffer. But Pelosi did not say the congresswoman, Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), should resign. “As Congresswoman Esty has acknowledged, her actions did not protect Ms. Kain and should have,” Pelosi said in a statement. “Congresswoman Esty has now appropriately requested an expedited review by the Ethics Committee.” Esty reportedly co-wrote a positive recommendation letter for the chief of staff before he left, ensuring that he would be able to find a job elsewhere despite having allegedly threatened a former Esty aide whom he was dating. Later on Monday, Esty announced that she would not seek re-election.