Share this articleA majority of D.C. Council members Tuesday called for a broader, independent investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against Mayor Muriel E. Bowser’s
The report substantiated two serious allegations against Falcicchio, Bowser’s former chief of staff and deputy mayor of planning and economic development, by an employee who worked in that department — including that Falcicchio exposed his genitals and engaged in unwanted sexual touching. The report, which focuses on one of two D.C. government employees who have filed complaints against Falcicchio, came about three months after his abrupt resignation March 17.
Council members including Parker did not yet have a firm proposal about who should lead a potential third-party investigation but said they were actively exploring options. The summary report said that Falcicchio sexually harassed a female staffer by twice making physical advances and sending her “unwanted” explicit messages, “including a graphic video.” The MOLC substantiated two allegations of sexual harassment but did not substantiate six other claims made by the accuser, including “bullying” from Falcicchio’s senior staff, “sexual or attraction-based favoritism,” or a claim that the accuser was demoted for “rebuffing his sexual advances.
Under its own rules, the D.C. Council’s chair can introduce a resolution to establish a special committee to consider investigations, ethics or other matters. The council’s existing committees may also launch investigations; In either case, lawmakers could also vote to give the committee the ability to subpoena testimony or documents. In the past, the council has broughtCouncil members Janeese Lewis George , Vincent C. Gray , Matthew Frumin , Charles Allen , Brooke Pinto and Robert C. White Jr.