Former Federal Prosecutor Sanctioned For Sexually Harassing Intern

Former assistant U.S. Legal professional for the Northern District of Ohio Mark Bennett was suspended for violations of the U.S. Division of Justice’s sexual harassment coverage. Nearly all of the Ohio Supreme Courtroom voted to remain a two-year suspension, offered Bennett full disciplinary provisions.

The allegations towards Bennett revolved round his habits in direction of an intern, recognized in court docket paperwork as J.S.

Whereas not able to rent or hearth J.S., Bennett was both “straight or not directly able of affect” over J.S. As reported by Regulation.com, Bennett used that place to harass J.S.:

He and J.S. turned acquainted and mentioned their intercourse lives, together with Bennett asking her for nude pictures on Snapchat. Bennett additionally touched her breasts with the again of his hand whereas the 2 have been alone collectively within the Ohio U.S. Legal professional’s Akron workplace and made sexually inappropriate feedback about her, the opinion mentioned.

J.S. left the workplace in 2017, however the inappropriate habits didn’t finish.

After J.S. left the USAO in November 2017, Bennett tried to reconnect along with her after she reached out to him concerning work-related issues. His efforts included undesirable Fb messages and texts that she later advised DOJ investigators she felt uncomfortable with the conversations, the opinion mentioned.

When the allegations got here to mild, an investigation by Workplace of the Inspector Common for the DOJ commenced. The OIG really helpful Bennett be terminated, and he resigned in consequence.

There was additionally a partial concurring and partial dissenting opinion, written by Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy, and signed by Justice Joseph T. Deters, that might have really helpful a harsher punishment.

“Bennett’s actions tainted the general public belief. His conduct towards J.S. undermined the credibility of and public religion in authorities, impeded the frequent good, and weren’t in the very best pursuits of the American folks, particularly J.S. Not solely was Bennett able of energy over J.S. from a supervisory standpoint, however he was additionally a consultant of the US and possessed all of the powers that comes with that place. His actions demeaned each the authorized career and his authorities workplace. It’s laborious to justify a completely stayed suspension if these greater requirements weren’t sufficient to discourage Bennett’s misconduct. Fairly, an precise suspension is critical to guard the general public.”

Kennedy additionally wrote that that majority’s leniency was “a step within the improper path: backward.”

Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Regulation, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Considering Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the very best, so please join along with her. Be happy to electronic mail her with any suggestions, questions, or feedback and observe her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.