The president of the nation’s largest federal government workers union has been accused of sexually harassing several subordinates, including one employee whose ear he licked during a hug last year, according to a new report.
J. David Cox, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, is accused of putting his tongue in the ear of Brett Copeland while embracing him outside a hotel in California following an April 2017 meeting, just weeks after the communications director took the job, Bloomberg Businessweek reported Sunday.
“It was embarrassing, and it was disgusting, and it was kind of unbelievable that it happened,” Copeland, 31, told the magazine, adding that he resigned a day after returning to Washington.
Cox made the alleged advance as the pair returned to their hotel after bumping into each other at a bar. That’s where Cox, 66, suggested that Copeland join him for a drink in his room, where he could also see his Jacuzzi, according to the report.
Cox’s secretary, Rocky Kabir, confirmed the hug took place but said he was too far away to corroborate Copeland’s story. But the union head had earlier put his hand on Copeland’s shoulder as the communications director was urinating, Kabir said.
Copeland is among 10 men and women who say they either saw or experienced inappropriate behavior by Cox, who has denied the allegations but will take a leave of absence as they are investigated, according to union officials.
“These allegations, if true, are utterly contrary to AFGE’s mission and values,” the union that represents 700,000 government workers said in a statement.
Cox, who was elected last year to a third three-year term, ordered a probe into the claims and recused himself after union officials received an inquiry from Bloomberg, AFGE officials said.
“If necessary, the committee will refer the matter for investigation by a third party,” the union’s statement continued.
Kabir, meanwhile, said he resigned in 2018 after 18 months as Cox’s secretary, during which the AFGE president suggested that he shower with him and to consider having sex with men. Kabir rejected the advances, but the creepy come-ons continued within weeks, he said.
Former employees have also accused Cox of asking male staffers whether they shaved their genitals and commenting about the size of a union official’s breasts in front of other administrators.
“Sometimes when people get in a position of power, they think they can do whatever they want,” one of Cox’s accusers, former AFGE vice president Jane Nygaard, told Bloomberg.
Cox’s behavior was the “worst-kept secret” within the union, a former AFGE political organizer said, but attempts to report the allegations were fruitless. One unidentified union vice president even covered their ears when questions about Cox’s conduct were raised, according to the report.
Cox blasted the allegations as “politically motivated” attacks.
“It is my life’s work to lift up my sisters and brothers in the workplace and I am truly sorry if I ever made anyone feel uncomfortable by my words or actions,” Cox told Bloomberg Businessweek in a statement.
