Daniel Ivey-Soto Has Been Credibly Accused by Multiple Women of Sexual Harassment, Bullying, and Abuse … The Special Counsel's Report Found Probable Cause Yet the Legislature Took No Action

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — State Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto, who has been credibly accused by mutliple women of sexual harassment, bullying, and abuse, was present yesterday for the second day of a three-day meeting of the Courts, Corrections and Justice (CCJ) Interim Committee of the New Mexico Legislature. 

Ivey-Soto was present yesterday for a presentation made by Attorney General Hector Balderas, during which AG Balderas referred to his office's success in prosecuting sex abuse cases. At one point, AG Balderas even said, "We won those cases on the voice and on the credibility of young sex abuse victims." 

"It's outrageous that an alleged abuser and harasser can be allowed to sit on a committee responsible for 'justice'... especially after the injustices he inflicted on so many women, as well as the injustice of the legislature sweeping the allegations under the rug," said Jessie Damazyn, a spokeswoman for the coalition of groups working to hold Daniel Ivey-Soto accountable and seek justice for his victims. "Daniel Ivey-Soto doesn't belong in elected office, let alone on a committee responsible for overseeing justice. How can survivors be expected to feel safe?"   

Ivey-Soto was absent from today's portion of the meeting, which included a presentation on equity and inclusion. 

The special counsel hired by the legislature to investigate the allegations against Ivey-Soto found that there was "credible evidence" and sufficient probable cause that Ivey-Soto had violated Roundhouse policy. However, a secretive four-member ethics panel consisting of Ivey-Soto's colleagues seemingly decided not to move forward with the disciplinary process anyway. It is unclear what the panel's reasoning or motivations for disregarding the special counsel's report are, given the secrecy of the process.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart later stripped Ivey-Soto of his chairmanship of the New Mexico Finance Authority interim committee, and Ivey-Soto resigned as chairman of the Senate Rules Committee before his colleagues were scheduled to vote on removing him. However, he was allowed to remain as a committee member. 

Earlier this month, the Legislative Council Committee met to discuss anti-harassment policy and investigatory process but failed to agree on changes.