Senator Kirsten Gillibrand defends the treatment of alleged sexual misconduct of the aid

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a presidential candidate in the 2020 presidential election and placing the fight against sexual assault at the center of her political career, opposes the claims of an employee of her office who announced his resignation last summer in protest against the harassment complaint against one of the best collaborators.

When Gillibrand contacted ABC News late Monday night, she told ABC News that she did not regret how the accusations of sexual harassment made by the collaborator had been handled, as reported in POLITICO.

"We conducted a thorough and professional investigation, and the accused was punished," said Gillibrand.

Gillibrand's office claims to have taken immediate action when the original complaint was filed in consultation with the Senate Employment Council, and included several interviews with relevant employees that may corroborate the facts.

"A thorough and thorough investigation of the evidence revealed misconduct by an employee who, while inappropriate, did not meet the standard of sexual harassment. However, the office found non-professional behavior contrary to its policy, including derogatory comments, engaged in heavy disciplinary action against the employee in question, who eventually put him on the line. on guard, "said Whitney Brennan, director of communications for Gillibrand, in a statement to ABC News.

The male staff member was subsequently fired.

The employee claims to have told the senator's team last summer that one of Gillibrand's closest associates had repeatedly made unwelcome advances and rude and misogynistic comments about other colleagues and colleagues. potential hires after being promoted to the supervisor position, according to POLITICO.

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In a subsequent resignation email obtained by POLITICO, the woman claimed that she was leaving her post because of the "poor quality of the investigation and after-investigation" on the subject. case.

"Your office has chosen to go against your public belief that women should not accept sexual harassment in any form and presented my experience as a misinterpretation, instead of what she really was: harassment and ultimately, intimidation, "wrote the woman, according to POLITICO.

The correspondence appears to have been sent to the Senator's personal e-mail account on the grievor's last day – less than three weeks after the report of the alleged harassment.

ABC News did not speak directly with the woman nor checked the e-mail.

Gillibrand made a statement to ABC News to defend the treatment of the sexual behavior charges by her office and the subsequent investigation.

"These are challenges that affect all of our country's workplaces, including mine, and the question is whether they are taken seriously. As I have said for a long time, when allegations are made in the workplace, we must believe women so that serious investigations can actually be conducted, we can learn the facts and ensure proper accountability. That's exactly what happened at every step of this business last year. I told him we loved him at the time and that's the same today, "Gillibrand said.

Gillibrand's office said the male staff member had been fired last week after other "disturbing comments" that he allegedly made would have been revealed.

"We have recently learned of the existence of troubling comments never previously announced by this same individual. The office immediately opened a new investigation and questioned relevant witnesses, which led the office to lay off the employee of its staff last week, "said Brennan in a statement.

She added, "Senator Gillibrand is committed to ensuring that allegations are treated seriously, investigated and appropriately sanctioned. That's why she helped strengthen the protection against sexual harassment in Congress and prioritize proper harassment training to better prevent these incidents and encourage reporting. "

John Verhovek of ABC News contributed to this report.