HARRISBURG (AP) – Documents show the office of Gov. Josh Shapiro settled a former employee’s claim she was sexually harassed by a senior aide earlier this year by agreeing to pay her and her lawyers $295,000. Settlement details were released through an open records request. The settlement stems from allegations made by a co-worker against Mike Vereb, who was Shapiro’s Secretary of Legislative Affairs until he resigned in September. Shapiro has avoided comment on the matter, but drew criticism from legislators when he told reporters to “consider the source” when asked about concerns raised by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward regarding Vereb remaining employed for months despite the allegations. The woman’s attorney confirmed the settlement which provided over $196,000 to the woman and more than $49,000 to both law firms hired to represent her.
MIKE VEREB