A stunning new legal development in New Orleans, Louisiana, has taken effect after a government official guilty of sexual harassment has been reinstated. The new government official’s rule? Sexual harassment among government officials is not punishable anymore, as long as it doesn’t affect productivity.
The government official in question is none other than Clerk of Council Lora Johnson, as reported by the New Orleans Gambit. Last year, Johnson was fired after the council discovered her 11-year stint of sexual harassment towards employees. A year later, the Civil Service Commission of New Orleans has decreed that what Lora Johnson did is alright, and officials can sexually harass employees, assuming it doesn’t affect productivity.
Along with the new legality, Johnson was also reinstated to office and was given a year’s back pay for the time she was gone.
“The commission finds that the City Council has carried its burden of showing that Ms. Johnson engaged in instances of inappropriate behavior over an 11-year period. The City Council has failed to carry its burden, showing that the complained-of conduct impaired the efficient operation of the Clerk of Council’s office,” according to the Civil Service Commission, thanks to the Gambit for the transcript.
Furthermore, the Commission also explicitly acknowledged Lora Johnson’s series of sexual harassment and even publicized the full names of the victims, even though it could open them up to harm or retaliation, especially from Johnson. As for the legality of sexual harassment in the workplace, it’s not clear what metrics are in place to consider how much productivity decline is grounds for punishment.
Thankfully, there is still pushback on the matter, with City Council President JP Morrell spearheading the appeal. Other officials, such as Vice President Helena Morena, are against Johnson’s reinstatement and the dismissal of the sexual harassment victim.
One thing that might have contributed to the Civil Service Commission reaching that decision was the existence of a similar case to Johnson’s, this time regarding Homeless Services and Strategy Director Nate Fields. Fields was accused of sexual assault and harassment of employees who worked for him.
Not the Best Four Years for New Orleans
Sadly, it appears pushing against the New Orleans Civil Service Commission’s verdict is going to be an uphill battle. The current administration in the US is notably full of alleged abusers with sexual assault and harassment accusations. It also appears that even other states that once got rid of their own local offenders are now supporting the offenders in the current US administration.
New Orleans’ legalized abuse, which now allows its officials to sexually harass, has drawn many worried reactions online, considering how it’s likely not an isolated city or state case. Some have expressed bewilderment towards what the Civil Service Commission did, especially the part where they publicized all the victims’ names.
Others are simply sick and tired of what’s happening in the country and what’s being considered legal or being legalized these days.
“Morality is no longer important. The only thing that matters is what you can get away with. A few people have done careful calculations and determined this is good for their political careers, and that’s all that matters. Welcome to modern America.
We toyed with morality for a few decades, off and on, and have now come to the conclusion that it’s just too much work and doesn’t make us any money,” laments Redditor fullchub
“I hate this timeline,” says Redditor Orange-V-Apple
“Our country is falling to pieces everywhere,” worries Yardwork-Fan73
