Rep. Kelly Cassidy, Alaina Hampton, Sherri Garrett call for investigation into possible rape cover-up
CHICAGO
(January 8, 2020)--State Rep. Kelly Cassidy and high profile sexual harassment victims Alaina Hampton and Sherri Garrett issued the following statement on Wednesday in response to a WBEZ report on an email from powerful Springfield ComEd lobbyist Michael McClain indicating a possible cover-up of a rape in Champaign::
“According to the
WBEZ report
, Mr. McClain “sought leniency for a state worker in a disciplinary case by arguing that the worker ‘kept his mouth shut’ about an unspecified rape downstate.” This isn’t the first disgusting, dangerous and brazen
display of misogyny
we’ve seen from Mr. McClain, but that doesn’t make it any less outrageous. If the reports are even partially true, this represents a conspiracy to conceal a criminal sexual assault at the highest levels of state government.
“We call upon law enforcement leaders, including Champaign County State’s Attorney Julie Rietz and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, if appropriate, to immediately open an investigation into these allegations, and, if necessary, to impanel a grand jury. Mr. McClain, relevant members of the Quinn administration and anyone else who had knowledge of this possible rape must be compelled, via subpoena if necessary, to disclose this information to law enforcement to ensure that any possible rapist is brought to justice. If the State’s Attorney won’t take action, a special prosecutor should be appointed who will. The only way to end the rape culture that has fully infected our politics in Illinois is to take bold, unequivocal action to root it out, right now.”
