Investigators found Utah senator likely engaged in workplace discrimination and harassment

SALT LAKE CITY – Independent investigators looking into allegations against Utah state Sen. Kathleen Riebe found the Democratic lawmaker "more likely than not" violated state policies on workplace harassment and discrimination.

The redacted report from law firm Salt Lake City law firm Parsons Behle & Latimer, obtained by KSL Friday through a public records request, found Riebe "engaged in a pattern of conduct toward" a legislative staffer motivated by "race, national origin, and/or ethnicity."

That female staffer said Riebe made racially-charged comments as well as inappropriate remarks about her clothing, body, and pregnancy.

Investigators also said Riebe was found to have made inappropriate statements about sexual orientation, including that she did not want "any gay interns," according to one witness.

Ultimately, investigators said Riebe's conduct violated the Utah Legislature's workplace discrimination prevention policy.

GRAMA Response - Redacted Investigation Report.pdf by mculbertson

Riebe did not immediately respond to a request from KSL for comment.

This issue first came to light earlier this week when Senate Democrats announced they had voted to remove Riebe from the caucus and called on her to resign.

Riebe has refused to step down, telling KSL she believes the allegations against her were a result of her own leadership ambitions as well as concerns she expressed about a legislative staffer doing campaign work for Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City. Those counterclaims from Riebe were also discussed in the investigative report.

Escamilla has not responded to requests for comment. The staffer at the center of Riebe's misconduct allegations said she supports "appropriate transparency regarding the investigation and its findings, while protecting the identity and privacy of witnesses and other individuals involved."

Senate President Letter to Minority Caucus Leader_Redacted.pdf by mculbertson

In a letter Monday, Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, outlined several corrective actions he said would be taken against Riebe, although they were redacted and not visible to the public.

"The Utah Senate is committed to maintaining a professional, respectful and safe working environment for all legislators, staff and interns," Adams wrote.

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