A dozen women who have worked in Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold's administration came to his defense yesterday to counter recent harassment allegations, characterizing him as a respectful boss who has not exhibited inappropriate behavior toward them.
"We want everyone to know the real story of Mr. Leopold from the women who work with him every day," said Michele Cross, who works closely with Leopold as an administrative assistant to Dennis M. Callahan, the chief administrative officer. Leopold is "a good man," she said. "He treats us with respect."
Leopold has been beset by complaints filed with state officials by a former employee who alleged a physical altercation and retaliation and a state employee who alleged he made unwanted advances while they were in a cafeteria lunch line. He has denied the accusations.
Cross said she organized the news conference unprompted by Leopold because she was upset by the allegations, made public in recent days in news accounts. Several of the women, standing before television cameras and a contingent of reporters, declined to discuss the allegations but said they felt compelled to speak out.
While many of the woman are political appointees, they said they did not have a political agenda. They said they were on leave time for the duration of the 15-minute news conference in a park across from the county government's headquarters.
"I am not a political person," said Patty Bowman, the appointments coordinator for Leopold who has been with the county government through several administrations. She said she has not seen "inappropriate behavior" or heard off-color remarks from Leopold, adding, "and I am with him every day, all day."
Leopold spokesman David Abrams said: "The county executive is grateful for the outpouring of support from the women who work closely with him every day, just like he's grateful for the support he's getting from people out in the county."
Karla Hamner, a former aide to Leopold, filed a complaint Thursday with the Maryland Commission on Human Relations and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Leopold has said a complaint from state employee Marvenise Harris has been dismissed, but the NAACP has asked the state prosecutor to investigate.
