NC Democrat Party Leader Accused of Sexual Harassment Resigns

North Carolina Democratic Party executive director Jay Parmley was accused of sexual harassment by former male staff member Adriadn Ortega. Ortega left the party after the incident. Ortega has not returned calls and has blocked access to his Linkedin Network site. The Daily Caller published quotes from a chain of emails discussing the situation but didn’t name the victim. Ortega was well known and well liked within Republican circles because he attended several GOP events for the Democratic Party.  Republican officials saw him as a respectful and good person.

As mentioned in the Daily Caller Ortega and the Party reached a financial settlement so Ortega would not pursue an official complaint. The amount has not been disclosed nor has the source of funds for the settlement. Democratic Party Communications Director Walton Robinson also didn’t return email or phone contacts with us.

But the sexual harassment is apparently just part of the problem within the Democratic Party. The same chain of email shows the anger a member of the Democratic Party Executive Committee had toward the leadership at party headquarters in the Goodwin House on Hillsborough Street. Watt Jones expressed his frustration to Party Chairman David Parker. Jones complained about an atmosphere that led to some staffers leaving for various reasons.

Parker replied “campaigns frequently poach the most qualified Party staff during primaries. This year is no exception.   I am delighted that several have moved to greener pastures. I am also delighted that the Staff that remains are resisting better paying offers and entreaties to go elsewhere.

Our earned media is the best I have seen in the 21 years that I have been on the Executive Council.  I credit Walton and his dedication to the NCDP for that. We interviewed for that position from both inside NC and out. I stand by him.  Our ability to win legislative seats in the Fall may depend on his assertiveness and responses.  I value his advice highly.

Let’s get on with the business of whipping Republicans and setting our beloved State right again!!!”

Jones expressed special frustration with Robinson and how he has handled his job as spokesman and filed an official complaint against him. Jones also was concerned about “outsiders” coming to work with the North Carolina Democratic Party including Robinson.

Robinson shot back.

Next time you want to call for someone’s job, please at least have the guts to do it to  their face. I find it personally disgusting that you would attempt to put me in the unemployment line and then turn around and talk about fairness.

> You do not know me personally so it is impossible for you to know what I personally care about or hold dear. North Carolina is now my home and I fully intend to be here and help improve North Carolina and get Democrats elected across the state.

> Perhaps you should not assume that you know me or how I feel about things—it makes your calls for “fairness” look less than genuine.

> Thanks,

> Walton Robinson

This is clearly going to become a big distraction for the Democratic Party in the middle of important campaigns.

Update: Parmley submitted his resignation and Party Chairman David Parker accepted it over the weekend.