Senate releases more details of allegations against Julie Frye-Mueller

[ad_1]

Journal staff

The South Dakota Senate on Friday released additional details of the allegations against Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller, R-Rapid City, which led to her suspension and the formation of a special committee to investigate the alleged behavior.

Frye-Mueller, who represents District 30, was stripped of her Senate rights on Thursday and was removed from all Senate committees on Wednesday. District 30 includes parts of Pennington County and all of Custer and Fall River counties.

In a prepared statement, Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree said members of the leadership were made aware on Wednesday of an allegation of unprofessional behavior against Frye-Mueller made by a Research Council staffer. legislative. Crabtree said the severity of the alleged behavior prompted Senate Pro Tempore Chairman Lee Schoenbeck to remove Frye-Mueller from committee assignments.

People also read…

Crabtree said more details were received Thursday in a report from the LRC staff member, which included allegations of harassment and inappropriate behavior by Frye-Mueller. Crabtree said the behavior included “private maternal matters, including infant vaccines and breastfeeding.”

Frye-Mueller had the opportunity to address Senate leaders on Wednesday. Crabtree said Frye-Mueller’s comments at that meeting are “inconsistent with his public statements and the report received from the LRC staff member.”

We thank the state employee for bringing this matter to our attention, Crabtree said. Our goal is to create a safe working environment for staff and legislators, and an environment where employees feel safe to raise concerns. All allegations of harassment should be taken seriously. Due process will be offered to all parties as this matter progresses.

Frye-Mueller was suspended by a vote of 27 to 6 from her fellow senators on Thursday, pending a full hearing on the matter. Crabtree said committee work will begin next week.

“Given that the allegations involve a sensitive personal matter and formal charges against a public official, the Senate will determine a procedure that respects the rights of all parties involved and keeps the public informed throughout the process,” Crabtree said in the press release.

Crabtree cited two clauses in the South Dakota Constitution that gave the Senate the power to suspend Frye-Mueller before the committee hearing. The first clause states that “each house shall determine the rules of its proceedings” and that the Senate has the right to determine the “qualifications of its own members”.

A Special Senate Committee on Discipline and Expulsion was formed to hear the allegations against Frye-Mueller. Crabtree said the committee’s rules will be determined by the Senate on Monday. Hearings are expected to begin next week, Crabtree said, with a full report released before the end of the fourth week of the legislative session.

Crabtree said the hearings will be open to the public and the full report will be a public record, except where South Dakota law protects the process. The report will be presented to the Senate along with the committee’s recommendation on any further action against Frye-Mueller.

The select committee will be chaired by Senator David Wheeler. The other members of the committee understand the senses. Jim Bolen, Sydney Davis, Helene Duhamel, Red Dawn Foster, Brent Hoffman, Liz Larson, Tim Reed and Dean Wink.

You must be logged in to react. Click on any reaction to connect. Be the first to know

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

[ad_2]