Rep. John Conyers’ attorney told reporters Friday that he has reason to believe the allegations of sexual harassment made by a former staffer may be unfounded.
“There is a plethora of evidence of people who will come forward saying these allegations are untrue,” Arnold Reed, lawyer for the Michigan Democrat, said at a press conference.
Marion Brown, a former staffer for Mr. Conyers, claimed this week on NBC News that the congressman made sexual advances towards her while she was on his staff. She said that he exposed himself to her and asked her to pleasure him sexually, which she refused.
It was the first time Ms. Brown had spoken publicly, due to a nondisclosure agreement she signed as part of a settlement with Mr. Conyers in 2015.
Mr. Conyers used taxpayer funds to settle with Ms. Brown after she filed a complaint against him, prompting legislators to review the sexual harassment system in Congress.
Mr. Conyers, 88, returned to Michigan this week and was hospitalized for a stress-related incident.
Mr. Conyers’ nephew, Ian Conyers, told BuzzFeed News late Friday that he is ready to step in should his great-uncle decide to retire or resign. Ian Conyers currently serves as a state senator in Michigan and is reportedly considered a “rising star” in the local Democratic Party.
• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.
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