Thread by @TexasTribune

NEW: An investigation revealed that Rick Dennis, an Austin lobbyist, did not use a date rape drug on two legislative staffers.

But Capitol staffers say he has a history of harassment — and that the institution's culture perpetuates misconduct. bit.ly/2QVQSB9 #TXlege

2/ Rumors of the accusation rocked the Capitol in late April.

But after investigating, the Texas Department of Public Safety found the allegation baseless and was fueled by one of the staffers trying to cover up behavior of her own that night. bit.ly/2QVQSB9

3/ Still, the incident lays bare larger questions about a Capitol culture that many women staffers say often leads to lesser allegations of misconduct and harassment being brushed under the rug by those with the power to act. #TXlege bit.ly/2QVQSB9

4/ Dennis has faced multiple accusations of inappropriate behavior as both a legislative staffer and lobbyist. In at least two instances, he was banned from visiting certain Capitol offices. Those complaints had little effect on his stature at the Capitol. bit.ly/2QVQSB9

5/ During the 2015 legislative session, a Capitol staffer who worked for Rep. Tan Parker’s office — where Dennis was the chief of staff — wrote a letter to Parker detailing multiple instances of harassment from Dennis. bit.ly/2QVQSB9

6/ The letter described Dennis speculating about the sex lives of employees, repeatedly telling two staffers they would “sleep together before session is over” and telling multiple people the staffer who wrote the letter has “Fuck me eyes.” bit.ly/2QVQSB9

7/ The letter also described an office contest Dennis held “in which he demanded that the winner be able to ‘shoot white yogurt onto the loser’s face.’”

Soon after receiving the letter, Parker held a meeting with staff and said they no longer have to come in contact with Dennis.

8/ But Parker continued to pay Dennis and did not sign paperwork terminating his employment until five months later.

After the letter surfaced, Parker let Dennis work from home until he left the office. bit.ly/2QVQSB9 #TXlege

9/ Another staffer said during the 2017 session, Dennis visited the House Democrat’s office where she worked so often “it felt like he’d come to seek me out.” She said he often asked “inappropriate things,” like imploring her to name “the top five representatives [she’d] fuck.”

10/ Dennis largely denied both staffers’ allegations but did admit his time in Parker’s office had “too much of a locker room environment.”

Nevertheless, his reputation explains why the date rape drug allegation took hold so fiercely.
bit.ly/2QVQSB9 #TXlege

11/ After the allegation surfaced, Speaker Dade Phelan delivered a speech about the “predatory behavior” that’s “still taking place in and around our Capitol.”

Several lawmakers and lobbyists wore pink one day “to stand in support and solidarity with" the alleged victim.

12/ Phelan also announced the upcoming creation of an email hotline for House staffers to submit harassment reports.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in both chambers have taken legislative action with a number of bills related to sexual harassment prevention training for state lawmakers.

13/13 While lawmakers expressed outrage over fears that a staffer had been drugged, Capitol workers say they're bothered that years of documented complaints about sexual harassment didn't receive the same response from those in power. bit.ly/2QVQSB9 #TXlege