ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A Maryland lawmaker facing discipline for allegedly bullying his staff and employees of the state legislature says an ethics panel report is a "political hit job."
Del. Jay Jalisi said in a statement Tuesday he has been the target of "a nasty smear campaign and a sham investigation by a powerful lobby in Annapolis."
A report released Monday by the legislature's ethics committee says the Baltimore County Democrat has shown an "ongoing pattern of bullying and abusive workplace behavior," particularly against female staffers.
The ethics panel says it's basing its findings on 38 interviews and 18 sworn affidavits.
The report says confrontations at a local hotel prompted management to no longer allow Jalisi to be a guest.
A vote on whether to reprimand him could come as soon as Wednesday.
