Rep. Chris Cannon's chief of staff, Charles Warren, resigned Thursday amid allegations that he sexually harassed another staffer.
"In consultation with my wife, family and church leaders, I feel it is in my family's best interest for me to pursue opportunities in the private sector," he wrote to Cannon, who accepted the resignation despite refusing earlier offers.That came after disclosure in the press this week that he and Crelley Mackey, Cannon's Salt Lake County field coordinator, had what they termed an improper relationship including "consensual contact without sex." They have declined to elaborate.
Mackey's attorney, Sandra McDonald, said Friday that she plans to file formal sexual-harassment claims against Warren sometime in the next few weeks.
She said they will assert Warren used his supervisory positions over Mackey to pressure her into the relationship not only in Cannon's congressional office but also earlier in their work on the Republican's campaign and at Cannon Industries, a venture capital firm owned by the congressman.
McDonald added she plans also to name Cannon in the complaint because of his duty to oversee his office and employees.
McDonald said she is not sure yet exactly where she will file the harassment charges because jurisdiction in a case involving a congressional office is unclear.
Mackey said she has no comment on the situation. Meanwhile, she is taking some vacation time off from the congressional office. But Cannon's spokesman, Peter Val-carce, said, "We don't expect her to resign, too. There is no reason for that."
Warren's resignation came after he, too, had been taking vacation time while Cannon pondered what action he should pursue.
Cannon has said he learned about the relationship between Mackey, 49, and Warren, 31, about a month ago and hired a former FBI agent to look into it. Valcarce has said it is undecided whether congressional funds will help pay for that probe.
Cannon has said he felt that an improper but consensual relationship had occurred - not sexual harassment - but he tried to broker a deal that included an offer to pay $5,000 to Mackey for counseling and other expenses.
Valcarce stressed that no payments have been made and that Cannon is working with House ethics lawyers to ensure any payments made comply with the law.
Cannon also issued a short statement about Warren's resignation. "Chuck is a good friend. He has been a valuable part of my office. His drive and dedication to political principles have significantly benefited the residents of the 3rd District.
"I am certain he will be able to put this incident behind him and continue to be a valuable member of our community," Cannon said.