Former Congressional Staffer 'Blackballed' After Making Harassment Claim

American taxpayers shelled out $220,000 to settle sexual harassment accusations against Democratic Florida Rep. Alcee Hastings, a new report reveals.

The Office of Compliance approved the settlement in 2014 after Winsome Packer, a former congressional staffer on a commission chaired by Hastings, accused the Democratic congressman of making sexual advances, touching her and threatening her job, documents obtained by Roll Call reveal.

Packer told Roll Call that she was “blackballed” after the incident.

“As an immigrant who came here with all these ideals, it is like someone just removed all the foundations that I stood on in this country for all these years,” said Packer, who was born in Jamaica, according to Roll Call.

Hastings, who has served in Congress since 1993, is the latest congressman to be caught up in a sexual harassment scandal.

Read more from The Daily Caller

Photo: Getty Images