The full Legislative Research Commission met in executive session to discuss an anonymous letter that was sent to some lawmakers in February alleging favoritism and bias within the day-to-day operations of the legislative branch. The letter writer claimed Sherman had ceded his authority to another LRC employee with whom he has a close relationship, resulting in managerial decisions being made by the woman, not by Sherman. The letter claims the relationship and decision making has created "a situation that is a source of harassment, hostility and bias in our work environment." At the urging of some female house members, House Speaker Jody Richards had agreed to launch an investigation, according to Rep. Kathy Stein (D) Lexington. Richards' spokesperson says the Speaker did not begin a probe.

And today, the legislative leaders of both chambers, including Richards, unanimously voted not to pursue an investigation of Sherman but to "further investigate the improper disclosure" of a confidential personnel matter. According to a five point statement drafted by Senate Majority Leader Dan Kelly (R) Springfield "the anonymous letter does not allege any action by a member of the LRC staff that would constitute workplace harassment." The LRC members promised to evaluate their own policy for reporting and investigating workplace complaints and fully investigate signed complaints but were "troubled that the anonymous letter and preliminary discussion regarding the letter among members of the Commission have been disclosed in violation of the policy of confidentiality that should apply until such time a finding of wrongful conduct is made."

Senate President David Williams had earlier told WHAS 11 News that he didn't feel the LRC should investigate unsigned, anonymous complaints or letters because it could lead to a slew of unwarranted allegations by unhappy employees. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Kathy Stein (D) Lexington, who has pressed for a probe of Sherman's management, told me she's upset the LRC leaders opted to "do nothing."
Stein says she believes legislative leaders are "more concerned about how Mark Hebert got the story than how 700 LRC employees are being treated."