A jury on Monday awarded $840,000 to a former state employee who claimed that Public Regulation Commissioner David King sexually harassed her.
It’s the second time King has faced sexual harassment allegations. The state paid $305,000 in the early 1990s to settle sexual harassment allegations three women made against him when he was state treasurer.
I think the situation pretty much speaks for itself. Though the Republican King was easily re-elected last year, he will have a difficult time if he runs for office in the future. He’ll have to give up his PRC seat after two terms at the end of 2010.
In the newest case, a jury awarded damages based on the civil standard of proof – “balance of probabilities,” which essentially means the allegations are more likely true than not. It’s certainly not as damning as a criminal conviction in which a jury has no doubt of guilt. King has denied the allegations both times.
However, there’s still a pattern here, and in the newest case a jury heard sworn testimony and decided that King likely did sexually harass the woman. He is now legally liable for compensating the woman for sexually harassing her.
In the new case, King is liable for $700,000 and the state is liable for $140,000. The state faced additional allegations that King and the PRC retaliated against her because of her claims.
You can read the details of the new case from The Santa Fe New Mexican by clicking here and the Albuquerque Journal by clicking here.
Update, 7:30 p.m.
State Republican Party Chair Allen Weh released this statement about the situation:
“I am appalled at David King’s behavior in what appears to be a repetitive pattern that is clearly unacceptable. I recognize it is a civil case, and not a criminal case, but that doesn’t give him a free pass,” Weh said. “If, after the appeal process is completed, a judgment still remains, David King needs to pay the entire cost. Not one penny of taxpayer money should have to be used to compensate for bad behavior.”
A prior version of this posting incorrectly stated that King could run for re-election in 2010.