A former staffer of Rep. Nancy Pelosi has been accused of raping an ex-Senate aide, according to a new bombshell report.
The San Fransisco Chronicle reported that Kevin Ortiz, the former staffer for Rep. Nancy Pelosi and the current co-president of the Latinx Democratic Club, was accused of sexually assaulting former aide to U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, Zahra Hajee.
Hajee accuses Ortiz of sexually assaulting her in March and April of 2021.
Ortiz has denied all of the allegations, claiming the sexual encounters were consensual.
An ex-Senate staffer has come forward with allegations that she was sexually assaulted by a former aide to onetime House @SpeakerPelosi. https://t.co/aaB09R6Ezj
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) July 12, 2024
The Gazette reported:
While he continues to serve as president of the political club, Ortiz left the Democratic leader’s office in 2022. In an attempt to verify his claims that the relationship was mutual, the former Pelosi aide provided screenshots of text messages that show Hajee repeatedly requesting to meet up with Ortiz.
This isn’t the first time Ortiz has been accused of inappropriate behavior. The outlet reported that a second woman alleged that Ortiz sexually assaulted her in 2019. She has declined to reveal her identity or file a police report.
Ortiz has rejected her accusations as well, saying the encounter was consensual and sending her a cease and desist letter, something he also did to Hajee.
In response to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment, a spokesman for Pelosi said the former House speaker’s office does not comment on confidential personnel matters.
Ortiz is one of several San Francisco Democrats who have been accused of inappropriate behavior in recent months.
Jon Jacobo, reported to run in the same political circles as Ortiz, faces allegations that he raped Sasha Perigo. Ortiz has defended Jacobo against the Bay Area affordable housing advocate’s accusations by sending Perigo a cease and desist letter.
The Democratic County Central Committee, which governs the city’s local Democratic Party, has become embroiled in a series of scandals. Members, such as Michela Alioto-Pier, have been criticized for supporting those accused of sexual abuse.
