Story Archive

Out of Sight

Speaker Beth Harwell of the Tennessee House of Representatives has ordered Rep. Jeremy Durham to move his office into a different building across the street from the legislators’ usual office space, and limited his access to House staff and interns. An investigation by the state’s Attorney General found Durham engaged in “inappropriate comments of a sexual nature or engaged in inappropriate physical contact” with several female staffers and potentially poses a “continuing risk to unsuspecting women who are employed by or interact with the legislature.” According to the Speaker’s order, Durham may visit certain parts of the capitol “for official legislative business only.” Durham denies sexually harassing anyone, and says he “doesn’t remember” sending the multiple “inappropriate text messages” the Attorney General found in his investigation. Durham resigned from his position as the Republican majority whip, but refuses to resign from the legislature, and has said he plans to run for re-election. Durham’s attorney calls the investigation “unfair,” and says his client complains the banishment is “unusual.” (RC/Nashville Tennessean) ...Especially considering that the privilege of molesting female staff and interns is “usual.”