Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst put a hold on the nomination of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti for ambassador to India March 23, which Axios reported adds difficulty as Garcetti faces allegations of mishandling sexual misconduct in his office.
“Thank you @SenJoniErnst for taking the time to examine the evidence and place a hold on Eric Garcetti’s nomination to India,” Naomi Seligman said on Twitter March 23. “He witnessed, tolerated, enabled and then lied about the sexual harassment and abuse in his office. He should not serve in public office here or abroad.”
The sexual harassment concerns stem from a lawsuit filed by Matthew Garza, an LAPD officer assigned to Garcetti's office. He alleges Rick Jacobs, a high-level political advisor to the mayor, had engaged in "inappropriate touching and sexual banter,” Axios reported.
Seligman, a communication aide in Garcetti's office 2015-17, reportedly accused him of perjury. Garcetti denied knowledge of Jacobs' alleged sexual harassment in testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, according to Axios. Seligman alleges Garcetti did have knowledge of Jacobs' behavior.
Ernst joins fellow Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley in moving to block Garcetti's nomination, according to Axios.
