Charlie Pierce, running for governor and on the Nov. 8 ballot that has the final four candidates, is the subject of a lawsuit by his former executive assistant, who says he sexually harassed her.
Before Pierce had even been able to see the charges, the Anchorage Daily News was given the documents and broke the story of Pam Highley Wastell, who named the Kenai Peninsula Borough and Pierce in her lawsuit. The story was reminiscent of the story the ADN broke about former ANTHC executive Andy Teuber, which came as ambush journalism.
Pierce has referred all questions to his attorney, but the timing of the lawsuit brings up questions as to timing and intent, since Pierce is a Republican candidate. Pierce was Kenai Borough mayor for seven years, leaving office in September to focus on his campaign for governor. He is a long-shot to win, as Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy has the momentum, the campaign infrastructure and is polling well with voters.
“I made no comment and will refer any questions to my attorney Richie Moses,” Pierce said to Must Read Alaska.
A personnel complaint has been ongoing since July but the details of it were not made public. Must Read Alaska has learned that the woman was not offered a financial settlement that satisfied her, and hence took legal action.
The newspaper story says that Pierce sexually harassed the woman by making sexual innuendos, inappropriate touching, and what she described as sexual advances.
