* Sun-Times…
A whistleblower whose #MeToo allegations prompted Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan to fire a longtime political operative has put another big spotlight on a former Madigan staffer, detailing in a federal document an allegation that the ex-staffer sexually harassed two women — “but nothing was done in response.”
The allegation against Travis Shea, detailed in Alaina Hampton’s federal lawsuit against the Democratic Party of Illinois and Madigan, claims Shea, who is now a lobbyist, “sexually harassed and/or assaulted” two women. […]
In the federal document, Hampton’s lawyers were responding to a question about their claim that defendants “have ignored and/or disregarded other reports of sexual harassment of female employees and volunteers working for the [Defendants].” […]
In response, Hampton’s lawyers said “she [Hampton] came to learn that other females employed by the Speaker had been sexually harassed and/or assaulted by a male co-worker, Travis Shea,” the document alleges. “Both females reported Travis Shea’s sexual harassment and/or assault directly to attorney Heather Weir Vaught but nothing was done in response. In fact, Mr. Shea remained on the Speaker’s staff for an additional two years thereafter. Plaintiff’s investigation continues.”
Shea is now a lobbyist at Michael Best Strategies. According to his profile, Shea focuses on the state budget, state bonding, capital budgeting, economic development and gaming. He previously served as an analyst for the speaker, but also worked for the Democratic Party of Illinois on campaigns across the state.
The lobbying registration report for Michael Best Strategies shows that Shea is no longer lobbying for the firm as of today. Shea’s bio has also been scrubbed from the firm’s website.
Hampton’s court filing is here.
* Speaker Madigan’s office denied Hampton’s allegation that nothing was done…
In February 2018, the Office of the Speaker released a summary of past complaints of discrimination and harassment. That document included descriptions of two allegations involving Travis Shea. Both women were consulted prior to the release and requested confidentiality. To date, neither has given permission to disclose any personal or identifying information.
In 2015 and 2016, Heather Wier Vaught was contacted with allegations of workplace intimidation against Mr. Shea, once in a personal setting, another in her official capacity as the House Democratic Ethics Officer. Each woman alleged Mr. Shea had intimidated them and threatened to “make or break” their careers.
Former Chief of Staff, Tim Mapes, and Mr. Shea’s supervisor, Jessica Basham, were immediately notified of Mr. Shea’s alleged behavior. Mr. Mapes met with Mr. Shea, and he was told the alleged behavior must immediately cease. He was reprimanded and advised such alleged behavior would not be tolerated. Additionally, Ms. Basham met with Mr. Shea and made it clear he was not in a supervisory role and told he would not be given additional responsibilities.
To further determine whether other staff experienced issues with Mr. Shea, or if there were additional concerns that needed to be addressed, Ms. Basham held meetings with each member of the unit and inquired if there were issues they would like to bring to her attention. No other issues were identified at that time.
Speaker Madigan was not made aware of the allegations. Had the allegations been brought to the Speaker at the time, he would have terminated any employment relationship with Mr. Shea, as he has done on other occasions upon learning of such incidents.
* More from WBEZ’s Tony Arnold, who broke the story…
In September 2017, Hampton claims she had talks with the Chicago Teachers Union about working on a campaign for state representative, according to court documents. In October 2017, she was under the impression CTU was ready to offer her a position, but just a week later Hampton was asked by a CTU lobbyist “if she was ‘on the outs’ with Ald. Marty Quinn as someone had informed [CTU Political Director] Stacy Davis Gates that such was the case.”
Hampton didn’t hear back from CTU after that conversation, the filing states.
“We’re frankly baffled we’d even be mentioned here,” said CTU spokeswoman Chris Geovanis. “We take orders for any hiring decisions from no one. We are quite capable of making our own hiring decisions.” Geovanis claimed Hampton had already done work for an opposing campaign in that race. […]
Hampton also said she pitched campaign work from her consulting firm to three other aldermanic campaigns: Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd Ward, and John Arena, 45th Ward, and 46th Ward challenger Erika Wozniak, according to last week’s filing.
Joanna Klonsky, a spokeswoman for Waguespack, Arena, and Wozniak told WBEZ in a statement: “As set forth in documents attached to a recent court filing, and as, in fact, is the case, Alaina Hampton’s non-employment by the campaigns of Ald. Waguespack, Ald. Arena and Ms. Wozniak Francis was unrelated to the events described in her lawsuit against Michael Madigan and others.”
…Adding… It turns out that Klonsky was actually speaking on Hampton’s behalf in the above quote. I’ve asked for a more clear statement.
…Adding… From Ms. Klonsky…
None of Ms. Hampton’s interaction with any of these three campaigns were affected or influenced in any way by the allegations in her suit or the defendants in that case.
…Adding… Again from Klonsky…
Ms. Hampton’s reference to Mr. Shea, as the court filing clearly reflects, was in response to the Madigan defendants’ specific request for such information of which she was aware.
- Rutro - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 10:35 am:
Denies inaction? I thought it was denies knowing?
- Rorschach - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 10:37 am:
In another part of the story, Hampton claims Deb Mell refused to hire her because of Madigan even though Mell approached her after the allegations broke. It makes no sense.
It’s unclear what the “sexual” nature of the allegations against Shea were. It sounds more like a bullying allegation, but there might be a lot on background on this one. Reading between the lines, it also sounds like although he wasn’t fired, it was made clear to him that he needed to find a job elsewhere.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 10:39 am:
===was made clear to him that he needed to find a job elsewhere===
He didn’t leave for two more years.
- Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 10:45 am:
Getting a job as a Madigan staffer would likely go to only the best/brightest, now they may have to be connected and loyal party folks, but still highly qualified. One would also assume that working for MJM would give staffers a plum resume and good opportunity to leverage their experience into other Dem jobs. Yet Alaina is turned down by CTU, and three Dem aldermen. Throw in the Mapes problems and it seems to add credence to her claims.
- Not It - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 10:45 am:
He was a loyal staffer so he was given a talking to and then sent back to work. Amazingly his new employer in the real world has apparently fired him, which is what should have happened years ago.
- Centennial - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 10:46 am:
If I were one of the women who chose to report Travis’ alleged treatment I would be livid. They now have to live this again in the press. Their stories are not Hampton’s to tell. Even anonymously.
- Concerned Citizen - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 10:47 am:
What I am having trouble understanding is how it is right for Hampton to name Shea in court filings ….but there is no evidence or back story etc…. Those news articles are potentially ruining a persons reputation and career.
- #metoo - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 10:50 am:
Is this the same Travis Shea??
https://www.sj-r.com/article/20100516/NEWS/305169948
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 10:55 am:
===Their stories are not Hampton’s to tell===
She was responding to a question from Madigan’s attorneys. It’s right there on page 15 https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5759602-Alaina-Hampton-Exhibit-a-3-1-19.html
- New Slang - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 11:03 am:
“Under the assumption” See, here’s the deal, I’ve been in same place, thinking I’m getting that job offer and then super surprised it didn’t happen. Sucks. And I get there are reasons they don’t have to divulge to me as to why they didn’t go in my direction.
- Anon-I-Guess - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 11:19 am:
“Her non-employment by my three clients is unrelated to the crime of all these other people who are not my clients not hiring her.”
Tangled little web here.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 11:22 am:
- #metoo - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 10:50 am:
Is this the same Travis Shea??
https://www.sj-r.com/article/20100516/NEWS/305169948
Yes.
- Concerned Citizen - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 11:25 am:
Maybe I am not with the times…and I ask this honestly…but how is it that being reprimanded after an incident has been reported…how is that not doing enough?
- Tea Lizard - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 11:27 am:
Rich - will you be rescinding Travis Shea’s Golden Horseshoe award?
https://capitolfax.com/2016/12/14/question-of-the-day-golden-horseshoe-awards-50/
- Johhny the red - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 11:31 am:
Can somebody tell me why Ms. Hampton believes she is entitled to all of the campaign spots she interviewed for? It seems to me that she has herself way overrated. Especially after her friend, Joanna Klonsky made the recent statements about her…
- Centennial - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 11:32 am:
Regarding page 15: fair point. However, she could have answered that question without naming Travis. Naming him makes the alleged victims live this whole saga again and potentially could “out” them after they chose specifically to remain anynonomous.
- Supporting Women? - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 11:39 am:
===She was responding to a question from Madigan’s attorneys===
The question from Madigan’s attorney’s is in response to an allegation Hampton made. She said it for the first time at her press conference, then in her court filing.
There is no question that she put the stories out there when they aren’t hers to tell. I wonder if she even took the time to talk to the women who are affected by this before doing it.
- Powdered Whig - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 11:40 am:
=== Naming him makes the alleged victims live this whole saga again and potentially could “out” them after they chose specifically to remain anynonomous. ===
Not only that, but it sounds like there is a good possibility that those that complained about Travis Shea will end up being deposed by Hampton’s lawyers.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 11:44 am:
Tea Lizard, thanks. I had forgotten about that. Click refresh on that link.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 11:47 am:
===She said it for the first time at her press conference===
She made allusions to it, as did Madigan in his own report. Madigan then asked for details.
- Fed up - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 11:53 am:
@Johhny the red
“Can somebody tell me why Ms. Hampton believes she is entitled to all of the campaign spots she interviewed for?”
No one said she is, nor did she say that. Being denied a job because you’re unqualified (or whatever reason) is not the same as being denied a job because you spoke out against being sexually harassed.
I’m beside myself that this needs to be explained. SMH.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 11:57 am:
==One would also assume that working for MJM would give staffers a plum resume and good opportunity to leverage their experience into other Dem jobs.==
Uh, no.
- Concerned Citizen - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 12:00 pm:
@Fed Up….has it been proven that she didn’t get all of these positions because she reported something?
- low level - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 12:01 pm:
^ if you were at the very top, then it does tend to help a lot. But rank and file staffers? Not necessarily and that is true for all 4 legislative caucus staffers. You’d be amazed at what some former staffers do after their time in Springfield
- Johhny the red - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 12:08 pm:
@Fed up
So tell me why she did not get hired for the positions with Deb Mell, Scott Waguespack, John Arena?
My thought is that Hampton has herself way way overrated. Please tell me a successful campaign she worked on and won without the assistance of Madigan’s operation?
And Hampton has a tendency to quit campaigns very often. Not reliable.
- Consent? - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 12:11 pm:
=== Naming him makes the alleged victims live this whole saga again and potentially could “out” them after they chose specifically to remain anynonomous. ===
Consent is at the heart of the entire #metoo movement, and that includes consenting to have your story told in public. Given these women’s desire to stay anonymous, it’s highly doubtful Ms. Hampton got — or even asked for — their consent to be dragged into her case. There were a number of ways to answer the question she was asked without violating the consent of the individuals who now have to relive this painful ordeal.
- Johhny the red - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 12:18 pm:
@ Consent?
Well said. It’s not about the 2 other victims and what they want. It’s all about Hampton and what she wants. Alaina is really minimizing her relevance here.
- Been There - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 12:21 pm:
===Yet Alaina is turned down by CTU, and three Dem aldermen. Throw in the Mapes problems and it seems to add credence to her claims.===
And working for a candidate who is ran against a sitting Dem congressman who is close to Madigan has nothing to do with her not getting jobs?
- Centenntial - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 12:24 pm:
If I remember the Madigan report correctly, it respected the victims wishes to remain anonymous. When Hampton named Travis she circumvented their wishes at best and will force them to be “outed” at worst
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 12:25 pm:
===When Hampton named Travis===
At Madigan’s request.
- Centennial - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 12:34 pm:
I maintain she could have answered that question without naming Travis, out of respect for the victims. Naming Travis was a choice and likely a strategic one from Hamptons perspective. But again, not her choice to make and not her story to tell.
- Powdered Whig - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 12:36 pm:
=== Naming Travis was a choice and likely a strategic one from Hamptons perspective. But again, not her choice to make and not her story to tell.===
Apparently it is when her attorneys have the power to subpoena the two Shea accusers to a deposition to bolster her claims in federal court.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 12:38 pm:
===I maintain she could have answered that question without naming Travis===
Sigh.
Read the fricking Madigan question. It begins: “State each and every fact”
- Centennial. - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 12:51 pm:
She could have left it at “male coworker” - in my opinion. The same way she described “female employees”. I’m assuming she knows the identities of the “female employees” but (rightfully) omitted that fact. Which is why I believe naming Travis circumvents the victims wishes to remain anonymous.
More importantly, If you can no longer trust that your wishes to remain anonymous will be respected, it could prevent other victims from reporting.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 12:52 pm:
===She could have left it at===
“State each and every fact.”
- Johhny the red - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 12:53 pm:
@ Powdered Whig
I believe you have lost sight of what Ms. Hampton’s lawsuit is about. It’s whether or not she was retaliated against for reporting sexual harassment in the workplace.
All of this other stuff is a side show for the press to write about and to pontificate about. Travis Shea has nothing to do with Hamptons allegations of retaliation.
- Concerned Citizen - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 12:58 pm:
@Johhny the red - Exactly…and there is the problem… Is Hampton trying to prove that the women that reported Shea have be retaliated against I wonder?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 1:00 pm:
All this hand-wringing about whose story this is to tell or who has to consent to what is BS. Hampton didn’t name any alleged victim. Trying to gin up outrage by implying that referencing alleged incidents of unpunished harassment, without naming the alleged victims, in response to an interrogatory is going to force the victims into “living this whole saga again,” is, at its best, insincerity. As for actually naming Shea, he’s a big boy and we have civil actions he can pursue if he is so aggrieved.
- Esquire, jr. - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 1:02 pm:
“Read the fricking Madigan question.”
You keep going back to Madigan’s question, but that misses the point. Based on the document you provided, the question was asked in a discovery request and the answer was given in the response document. In litigation, these discovery documents are not filed publicly because they often contain private information. Both state and federal rules provide for this. Hampton’s lawyers, however, decided to make it public by filing it in court as an exhibit. That wasn’t necessary. They could have provided it to the court to review confidentially. But they didn’t do that. They consciously decided to file it publicly. And, surprise, days after they did so, it’s everywhere. So Hampton is injecting Travis Shea and these women into her lawsuit and into the public by her actions and her actions alone.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 1:04 pm:
===They consciously decided to file it publicly===
That was always an option and MJM’s lawyers surely knew this when they asked the question. He’s got some great lawyers.
- @Johhny the red - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 1:05 pm:
Not sure. I can tell you that Alaina Hampton and her attorneys strategy is to try and win their case through the media. From the day Alaina has come forward there has been press conference after press conference. Hampton filing complaints with the city of Chicago inspector general, the state of Illinois inspector genera and now this. It makes people wonder how strong their lawsuit actually is.
- Water is Wet - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 1:07 pm:
@Johhny the red
“has nothing to do with Hamptons allegations of retaliation.”
Really? If I was a fact-finder, evidence of a workplace culture that was hostile or indifferent to numerous claims of harassment would certainly be probative in weighing the claim of retaliation against someone who publicly brought attention to that culture of hostility/indifference. It would be kinda important to understand whether Hampton is more whistleblower or aggrieved former employee.
- Fridge - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 1:28 pm:
The Wozniak campaign, maybe even Wozniak herself, need to answer to these claims. Immediately and honestly.
- KA - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 1:33 pm:
===More importantly, If you can no longer trust that your wishes to remain anonymous will be respected, it could prevent other victims from reporting.===
Centennial — the victims are still anonymous. And it’s a lot more likely that victims won’t report because of how much people like you have tried to discredit the victim (Hampton)
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 1:42 pm:
KA is correct.
- AlfondoGonz - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 2:08 pm:
Dig up, yoya. Dig up.
- ChrisB - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 2:16 pm:
With comments sections like thees, I wonder why even more women don’t come forth and tell their stories.
- Water is Wet - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 2:25 pm:
It is amazing how many critics of Hampton here have all stumbled upon the same exact limited framing of the issue.
Alleging a culture of indifference to harassment? Not important.
Being an alleged victim of that culture of harassment? Not important.
Answering an interrogatory with seemingly true examples of past harassment without actually naming the victims of that harassment? Well that’s not only the biggest issue here, it is irresponsible, fame-seeking behavior near certain to further harm victims and is possibly the biggest disservice done in the name of the #MeToo movement.
Amazing.
- KA - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 3:13 pm:
+1 on ChrisB and Water is Wet’s comments.
Look at the comments of any CapFax story about victims who have gone public.
Victims stay quiet because they see the great lengths people go to to discredit the victims who speak up.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 3:39 pm:
–I can tell you that Alaina Hampton and her attorneys strategy is to try and win their case through the media.–
Did I miss the presser on this?
Are not the new allegations found in answers to Madigan’s lawyers’ interrogatories? Which are then a public record, a document available to anyone?
Some of you guys, as Madigan would say: “You’re not helping.”
- Rahm’s Middle Finger - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 4:01 pm:
Johnny the Red-
Man. Your slandering of Hampton is stomach turning. She was Bridget Degnen’s race against John Fritchey. Beating a well established politician handily is pretty impressive. She was also Field Director for Dan McCreqdy, a top tier congressional race in NC. She is plenty well qualified.
And Rich has pointed out why Hampton released Shea’s name. No one said it didn’t happen. If he was bullying women in the office, then we should be glad this came out.
- Who else - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 4:07 pm:
KA is correct. Women do not come forward because of the echo chamber of blame (against them) exhibited by the comments on this thread.
Let’s review why Ms. Hampton is engaged in this conversation at all. It is because she was sexually harassed. She did nothing wrong, unless you believe coming forward to demand a basic level of dignity in working conditions is wrong. The literal only reason she is even discussing these things publicly is because of the inappropriate response by those in charge to the sexual harassment she experienced. Having this conversation is not fun. Have you done it? It doesn’t feel good. It doesn’t get you attention you’d want.
Folks here think she overvalues herself? Ok. Perhaps folks could provide an outline of just how much value a woman’s right to work in conditions free of sexual harassment and assault has. I’m interested in the breakdown. How long should a woman put it up it before she says something? How many times should she have to ask for help before someone acts? Please include those variables in your calculation.
As for the revelations uncovered by the WBEZ piece, those were not revelations to many people under the dome who have known about this situation for some time. Perhaps that is the actual significance of the WBEZ report, and the subsequent reporting– the length of time people have known about this guy while he roamed the halls.
The women continue to be anonymous, as is their right. I have great compassion for them and hope they have the support they need while they recover from their trauma, which is probably something they’ll do forever.
I also have great compassion for Ms. Hampton who was asked a direct question by a powerful political leader and provided a direct answer. It’s not an accident that the speaker could have correctly anticipated that his supporters would have his back instead of hers. That’s a feature, not a bug, as they say.
- Dont thread on me - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 4:57 pm:
What about this new reported allegation…says that Madigan didn’t do enough?…..what sexual harassment/assault occurred?…I would like to know if there are any connections between the the victims and Ms. Hampton
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 8:12 pm:
Garbage in garbage out at CTU.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 9:20 pm:
I’m sorry I as a women who was sexually assaulted am offended at people referring to Hampton as a victim. She was asked out on a freaking date, and when Quinn was reprimanded he stopped. It’s all old and tiring and takes away from real victims of abuse.