WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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Monroe County Commissioner Amanda Barge spoke out this morning against allegations of sexual harassment made against her last week.
Former county government contractor Brandon Drake accused Barge of harassment in a March 26th article in the Indiana Daily Student. Monroe County contracted with Drake to develop Monroe County Pathways, a resource line for people experiencing addiction. In the IDS article, Drake stated he couldn’t deny Barge’s advances, because he was afraid she would destroy his career. Drake stated that when it comes to sexual harassment or other misconduct, the considerations given county employees are not in place for independent contractors.
Barge has served as a Monroe County Commissioner since 2016. She announced a run against incumbent Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton earlier this year. Barge suspended campaigning for Bloomington Mayor last week, after Drake’s allegations were published, but she will still appear on primary ballots in May.
Barge said the allegations are false. Speaking in this morning’s commissioner’s meeting, Barge framed herself as among those who have “walked through fire and come out stronger.”
Following last week’s IDS article, Monroe County’s legal department issued a public statement, detailing Drake’s business relationship with the county. This morning, Commissioner Lee Jones read a new statement from the county’s legal department. According to the statement, it is the County’s belief that the materials provided by Drake and published in the IDS last week “do not support Mr. Drake’s allegations of harassment, and certainly had no bearing on the County’s decision to end its relationship with Mr. Drake.”
In her statement, Barge called on Monroe County government to have conversations about protections for all county government employees and contractors. This morning, Bloomington Black Lives Matter announced they’re calling for Barge to resign from the Monroe County Commissioners. In their open letter, calling for Barge’s resignation, the core council stated they’re also calling on County government to revise its policies for contracted employees.
