It turns out that the effort to keep taxpayers ignorant of harassment claims paid to victims of abusive members of Congress – using our own money – may be futile in a least some cases.  The victims signed confidentiality agreements, and so did Congress.  So the two sides are mutually forbidden to spill the beans.    But the veil of silence does not cover third parties who were aware of the harassment and settlements.  And people do talk among themselves about such scandalous doings.  Not only that, but once they see other people talking, those in the know are inspired to loosen their lips.  Thus, we learn from The Hill: Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), the longest-serving current House member, reportedly settled a wrongful dismissal complaint in 2015 after a former employee accused him of firing her for resisting his "sexual advances." Four former staffers signed affidavits, three of which...(Read Full Post)