Memorandum

Memorandum dated April 11, 2007 from House Republican Leader Jason Mumpower regarding sexual harassment charges

FR: Rep. Jason Mumpower, House Republican Leader

House Republican Caucus memorandum

FR: Rep. Jason Mumpower, House Republican Leader

RE: Rep. Lynn / Rep. Williams Sexual Harassment Dispute

Date: April 11, 2007

On the advice of counsel, I am preparing this memo for the file in the event of future legal

proceedings related to this matter.

On the morning of March 28, 2007 Representatives Susan Lynn and Debra Maggart appeared in

my office and asked to meet with me.

Upon meeting with Representatives Lynn and Maggart I could immediately tell they were

distraught and upset. Representative Lynn explained to me that she had an encounter with

Representative Kent Williams the night before that was upsetting and had made her feel sexually

harassed.

Rep. Lynn explained that she and Rep. Maggart had been in the legislative parking garage

following legislative receptions on the night of March 27, 2007. While talking in the garage,

Rep. Lynn explained that Rep. Williams entered the garage in the company of Rep. Doug

Overbey.

Rep. Lynn said that Rep Williams and Rep. Overbey came up to them. She said it appeared that

Rep. Williams was somewhat intoxicated. Rep. Lynn said that when Rep. Williams came up to

her he told her how beautiful she was. She said he also told her, "I will give a weeks pay just to

see you naked."

Rep. Lynn said she was shocked and began to back away. Rep. Lynn indicated that Rep.

Williams repeated the line about "giving a weeks pay" again. Rep. Lynn and Rep. Maggart

indicated that they both moved to leave and that Rep. Overbey began to direct Rep. Williams

away from the females. Rep. Maggart said that she got into her car and that Rep. Williams

leaned into the window and told her how beautiful she was and that he appeared to be staring at

her breasts.

Rep. Lynn was quite distraught in recounting the events of the previous evening and expressed

great sadness and fear that this event might be repeated. She also expressed much fear that

public exposure of this event might unduly malign her name or have an embarrassing result on

her husband or her children.

Following this initial meeting, I talked with Rep. Overbey and received a third party

confirmation of the events exactly as previously described.

In consultation with Rep. Lynn, I convened a meeting with Rep. Lynn and Rep. Williams in my

office. Staff members Stephanie Shackelford and Kara Watkins attended as witnesses to the

event.

During this meeting, I went over the details of the alleged event as I understood them with both

Rep. Lynn and Rep. Williams. Rep. Williams agreed that the events as previously described did

occur. He apologized to Rep. Lynn and assured her that the same type of event would never

occur again.

After the conclusion of this meeting, I met with House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh and House Chief

of Staff Bumey Durham and made them aware of the events which had transpired.

Eight days later, on April 5, 2007 Rep. Lynn called me as I was driving home from that week's

legislative session.

Rep. Lynn was quite upset and distraught when she called. She told me that she had been

standing in the lobby area outside of the House Speakers office talking to Representative Janis

Sontany. She explained that while she was standing there, in conversation with Rep. Sontany,

that Rep. Williams cam up behind her, put his arm tightly around her and embraced her. She

said he put his face close to hers and told her, "Have a nice weekend."

Rep. Lynn said she was quite upset at the event and noticed that Rep. Sontany reacted with

obvious surprise at the inappropriate physical contact. Rep. Lynn said she was seared that this

behavior pattern would repeat itself as she once again felt sexually harassed.

The next week, on April 10, 2007, I once again met with Reps. Lynn and Williams and my staff

Rep Williams apologized for the event featuring the physical contact and assured Rep. Lynn that

it would not happen again.

After the conclusion of this meeting, I once again met with House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh and

House Chief of Staff Burney Durham and made them aware of the events which had transpired.

Statement released Jan. 21 by House Democratic Leader Gary Odom, D-Nashville, on the sexual harassment memo release:

"I had no previous knowledge of these incidents. I do, however, have a question about the timing

of the release of this information as it falls on the heels of Speaker Williams' success of last

week. The memo released is almost two years old. The other thing is this memo should have

remained confidential, under General Assembly policy granted by T.C.A. 3-13-101 to protect all

parties involved."

Statement released Jan. 21 by House Speaker Kent Williams:

The Sexual Harassment Policy of the Tennessee General Assembly requires that any and

all information falling under the parameters of the policy must be held confidential. The

policy strictly prohibits the release of any information as upheld by the courts. All

matters pertaining to issues involving the Sexual Harassment Policy should be referred to

Connie Ridley, Director of Legislative Administration. However, I have never sexually

harassed anyone nor have I been reprimanded for any such behavior.

Right now my focus continues to be on moving this state forward and getting to the

business of governing. This week, I have brought House Democrats and Republicans

together to coordinate bipartisan committee assignments and with these talks our forward

momentum is building. I am looking forward to getting on with the people's business.