An alleged incident of sexual harassment at an orientation event for Massachusetts lawmakers at UMass is being reported.
Several officials who either witnessed the alleged incident or were told about it confirmed the details involving State Representative Paul McMurtry, a member of House Speaker Robert DeLeo's leadership team. They say he walked up behind a new legislator and grabbed her backside at the event last month, according to The Boston Globe.
A special committee is being formed to investigate.
House Speaker Bob Deleo says the legislative rules on such issues are being followed.
In the meantime, first-year state rep Lindsay Sabadosa of Northampton filed a new bill yesterday requiring an independent committee to investigate sexual harassment incidents on Beacon Hill.