Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane's newly appointed chief of staff has been accused of sexual harassment during an episode in February 2014.
Harrisburg-based assistant state prosecutor Michelle Kluk claims that Kane's chief of staff Jonathan Dueker reached his hand up her blouse and later put his hand on her thigh at a Hazleton restaurant in front of several witnesses, The
Tribune-Review reports.
Kane's spokesman Chuck Ardo said that Kane believes the allegations are part of an internal struggle between new and old employees after Dueker was promoted last week from the office's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation. Dueker was traveling and unavailable for comment, according to Ardo.
Kluk has denied this characterization and says that she forcefully told Dueker to stop the advances on the night of the alleged harassment.
Dueker formerly served as Pennsylvania's Homeland Security director under Governor Ed Rendell and served in the Navy as an aviator and officer.
According to Ardo, Kane has no intention of removing Dueker from his position as chief of staff. Both Ardo and Kluk declined to say whether or not Kane was previously aware of the accusation.
