Ex Congressman Eric Swalwell, a leading Democratic candidate for governor of California abandons his campaign after multiple allegations of sexual impropriety, and just to once again prove conclusively no political party has a monopoly on good or bad behavior, three Republican women (in Congress) who had a hand in forcing the resignations of lawmakers accused of sexual misconduct said they are out to name and shame more offenders.
Closer to home as the Connecticut General Assembly wraps up this year’s session, there’s a current undertow of chatter about sexual allegations facing an incumbent state senator with the GOP bracing for another midterm head wind – a Republican president plundered by poll numbers – battling the Democrats supermajority.
Timothy Herbst, a Republican gubernatorial candidate in 2018, penned a recent commentary – headlined “Republicans need to clean their own house first – highlighting State Senator Jason Perillo paying a $10,000 fine for an illegal campaign coordination cited by the The State Elections Enforcement Commission.
Perillo, a member of the state legislature for 20 years, won a close special election more than one year ago over Democrat Tony Afriyie to represent Connecticut’s 21st Senatorial covering Stratford, Shelton, Monroe and Seymour.
Keep in mind this was just one month after Donald Trump returned to the presidency predating the penetrating issues of affordability now in focus, just about everything rising: gas, oil, groceries, rents (if you can find one) utilities, healthcare. Good grief, even the price of condoms exploding.
An FOI request aimed at Perillo involves a young female legislative aide. Sent in March to GOP Senate leader Stephen Harding and Senate Republican Caucus it seeks “records relating to any allegation, complaint, inquiry, review or investigation concerning alleged misconduct, inappropriate conduct, or sexual harassment involving Mr. Perillo and legislative staff.”
Due to the sensitive nature of the complaint OIB redacted the name of the female legislative staffer named in the FOI.
OIB has interviewed six government and political sources familiar with the complaint and allegations surrounding Perillo. The female staffer, according to several sources, shared a verbal sexual harassment complaint with Republican leadership. Another legislative staffer took notes. She was reassigned from her work place role with Perillo.
“All the Republican insiders know about this, but they are sitting on it hoping it’s going away,” said one source for this story. “It’s not going away.”
According to another source familiar with the events, “These matters were communicated to staff, and the minority leader. Freedom of information requests have been made and are being slow walked, if not worse, ignored by leadership. In fact, one from March 16 of this year has not been responded to in the required time frame and an appeal was filed, further damaging the public trust in transparency.”
Sources for this story, including several Republicans who want Perillo taken to task, assert Senator Harding has often called out legislative Democrats for lack of transparency over a variety of government matters while not producing the information request in the Perillo FOI case. They also claim there’s a pattern with Perillo dating to his service in the State House.
The politics of this is tricky for Republican leaders with party conventions coming up this month in advance of potential August primaries and the November general election with Republicans facing more legislative losses in a presidential midterm, an unpopular war, soaring costs and an angry electorate.
Perillo’s seat has been a solidly red district for a long time, but this situation complicates things politically as Republicans try to mitigate more legislative losses.
OIB reached out to GOP legislative leadership with this query:
Bringing to your attention a story in the mix regarding this excerpt from an FOI request.Wondering if leadership and/or Jason Perillo want to issue a statement about responding to the FOI and allegations included regarding the staffer. I am not including her name in the story that will probably go live tomorrow, but wanted to give the parties a chance to comment.Will this requested information be turned over? If not, why?Does Senator Perillo want to issue a statement pertaining to the allegations?
Response from Republican legislative leadership. “Staff has received the request. It is currently under review and will be responded to appropriately. We respect FOI and will continue to do so.”
Come on,look at this guy. Any sexually suggestive comment to any living creature would have to fall into the category of sexual harassment.
What does this have to do with the purpose of this column which, I believe, is the narrative of unusual, and perhaps, unique incidents, stories, and news that bears on Bridgeport. Where is the Republican connection?
Where is a Republican local party ready to preach principles to their neighbors? Where is a group willing to share some of the values of open, accountable, transparent, and honest government for Bridgeporters? Why are too many on the City Council not taking advantage of more of the City ten Districts holding at least one Casual Civics Conversation locally per month? No cost. Attend to listen, or to claim a place at the table where otherwise you feel ignored, bypassed, and held to no account when municipal decisions are featured.
What story is behind the $22 Million from the CT to remediate and reclaim the former energy facility on the harbor, yet the tower stands? Has the State funds been spent already?
What about the closed Bassick HS and the future value of the land and buildings? Millions of $$$ divergence between Tax Assessor’s office and the RFP current offer, with City Council members not included, nor their constituents in the City process. Who was on the “group” who structured the RFP and proceeded to accept the “winner.” Are they City employees? Were they City residents?
Next upcoming Casual Civics Conversation is Saturday at 8AM for one hour each second Saturday per month at Wood’s End Deli. Claim a place at the table, speak your truth, and listen to neighbors on restoring democratic practices to the city. Will it work? Stay tuned, and participate. Likely we will see enhanced voice through informed voting by residents in November, 2026. Time will tell.