Ex-aides say congressman and wife made them his servants

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

Virginia Rep. Tom Garrett and his wife turned the congressman’s staff into personal servants, multiple former employees to the freshman Republican told POLITICO — assigning them tasks from grocery shopping to fetching the congressman’s clothes to caring for their pet dog, all during work hours.

POLITICO has spoken with four former staffers who detailed a deeply dysfunctional office in which the congressman and his wife, Flanna, often demanded that staff run personal errands outside their typical congressional duties. The couple called on staff to pick up groceries, chauffeur Garrett’s daughters to and from his Virginia district, and fetch clothes that the congressman forgot at his Washington apartment. They were even expected to watch and clean up after Sophie, their Jack Russell-Pomeranian mix, the aides said.

The staffers said they feared that if they refused Garrett‘s or his wife’s orders — both were known for explosive tempers — they would struggle to advance in their careers. It wasn't just full-time staff: many of the allegedly inappropriate requests were made of interns, the former aides said.

“I didn’t know who I was working for: Was I working for him? Was I working for her?” said one of those staffers who, like others interviewed for this story, asked not to be named for fear of retribution. “We became their gofers.”

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/05/25/tom-garrett-staff-servants-608665

[atreides1]

1. Boo, f**king, hoo

If they were afraid that they would have to struggle to advance their careers, then find something else to do...greeter at WalMart comes to mind!!!

I feel no sympathy for any of them...they had a choice...they chose poorly!!!

[Lucky Luciano]

2. I totally disagree. Even though they are republic assholes, that is abuse that...

...would not generally be tolerated no matter where one works.

[Tanuki]

8. This was happening on the taxpayer's dime, so we were all paying for it.

I regard it as theft of services.

[lunatica]

11. Greeters at Walmart are treated like shit

And paid far, far less and get no benefits and don’t get to advance. They are abused all the time and have to take shit from customers.

What exactly is your point?

[zentrum]

19. Agree.

[Hortensis]

17. This are legal and ethical issues, Atreides.

Only one way you're mistaking the situation since I'm pretty sure none of these people are at all interested in your sympathy, as reading the article would make clear.

[zentrum]

20. Not getting the purpose...

…..of gratuitously sounding contemptuous of Walmart greeters, who are scraping by.

Besides, what you're recommending is not really better than working for a Republican grifter—Walmart also rips off the American taxpayer, its workers and BTW supports Repugs with big bucks.

[Orsino]

3. This is essentially the GOP's agenda for America. n/t

[bitterross]

7. They think they are aristocracy. The elites.

They freaking think they are above the unwashed masses. It is very clear in their policies and actions.

We need a guillotine or two around to remind them of how that turns out.

[lunatica]

12. This is what the rich envision for all of us

They work hard for the day there will be only two roles for the masses (that would be us). As servants to THEM and as military to protect THEIR interests. Period.

[paleotn]

21. Take a look at Hulu

every Wednesday for the latest episode of The GOPs Agenda for America.

[kimbutgar]

4. And will this guy be safely re elected?

Rethugs can do whatever they want with no consequences. This cretin will likely get elected only because he’s in a deep red district with a “ r” by name.

[Action_Patrol]

5. This isn't immune to party line

Offices from both parties do this.

The lines are very blurred in many of the Offices.

[NBachers]

6. Let's have a list of Democrats who similarly abuse their staffs on taxpayers' dime, Action_Patrol.

[Action_Patrol]

9. NBachers

I’ve worked on the hill for nearly twenty years, I’ve seen a lot in all of these years.

I don’t honestly believe you care to have names. You would read them and not believe them anyway.

[lunatica]

13. Why should anyone believe your equivalency claim?

You made the statement as if it were a fact but you don’t want anyone to ask you to prove it because you care about us?

Your concern is noted.

[Action_Patrol]

15. I don't care what you believe.

You want names? I’ll give you two.
Senator Ted Kennedy. His staff consistently did menial personal tasks. Including picking up clothes/food/walking pets.
Were they offended or exploited? Who knows but they did do these tasks for the Senator/office.

Another name is Rep Sheila Jackson Lee. I’ve never seen staffers/interns treated more poorly than from her. Watching young interns standing in a hallway holding her purse for hours on end is disheartening.

Believe it, don’t. It doesn’t matter.

In no way am I defending the subject in the OP. Just noting that these offices don’t operate like typical Businesses.

[lunatica]

16. So did anyone swoon in horrified indignation?

You named names now but unless you prove it people can believe whatever they want. And they will question your motives.

If you can prove your alleged allegations go for it if that’s your motive. More power to you.

[Action_Patrol]

22. Motives.

Motives, allegations, proof...

Prove that I’ve seen staff mistreated on both sides of the aisle? I don’t have to prove anything to anyone.

Nobody has to believe me, nor do I care if they do or don’t.

Off to go swoon in my car while I fight rush hour traffic. Take care.

[lunatica]

23. By by

[Hortensis]

18. It mostly is! How can you not know that?

And don't go making some false equalization because you can point to a Democrat asking a staffer to bring a clean blouse to a meeting.

The very legalities, ethics and mores these conservative knuckledraggers are abusing exist because of those people who believe, right in their guts, in our principles of equality and rights to live, liberty and pursuit of happiness and built our system based on them.

Are you imagining conservatives did that? Most conservatives don't feel those in their guts. Equality under the law is a continual problem for those whose guts are more in tune with a natural order that makes kissing up and kicking down feel right and sensible. They've always fought against "too much" equality and for special privileges for some, and always will.

Yes, some are of course capable of being profoundly decent and honorable and some participated in creating and protecting them, but these the laws and ethics violated here are all built, generation by generation, on the liberal humanist, egalitarian principles that live in and guide the Democratic Party today. We're Democrats because they're part of each of us, most of us anyway.

[brooklynite]

10. LEAN R District; Leslie Cockburn is the Democratic opponent

https://www.lesliecockburnforcongress.com/

[Bradshaw3]

14. Thought that was her

Googled to check. A distinguished career as a journalist and documentarian. Sister-in-law of Alexander Cockburn, whose writings I always enjoyed. Sure hope she wins.

[Judi Lynn]

24. Let's hope Tom Garrett's treatment of his staff will get adequate public awareness.

To allow the local media working for right-wing owned news outlets to control the information on this would be a crime.



Rep. Tom Garrett



Rep. Tom Garrett, claiming he was death-threatened

Authorities investigating death threats against Garrett
Alex Rohr May 10, 2017
http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/authorities-investigating-death-threats-against-garrett/article_a0323f7e-35bf-11e7-ac5f-c7efaa0fc361.html



Garrett faces foes and supporters alike at UVa
BY MICHAEL BRAGG Mar 31, 2017
http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/politics/garrett-faces-foes-and-supporters-alike-at-uva/article_891f1a48-1682-11e7-be3a-23ebad82edef.html



Group Again Protests, Attempts to Speak with 5th District Rep. Garrett
Posted: Mar 06, 2017 3:46 PM CST
Updated: Mar 18, 2017 4:04 PM CDT
http://www.nbc29.com/story/34677972/group-again-protests-attempts-to-speak-with-5th-district-rep-garrett



GOP Lawmaker Wants FBI To Drop Russia Probe Because ‘It’s Like Investigating Obama’s Birth Certificate’by Lance Perriman Feb 5, 2018

Appearing on CNN Monday, Republican congressman Tom Garrett Jr. (VA) compared the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. elections to President Donald Trump’s racist “birtherism” campaign to convince Americans that President Barack Obama is not a U.S. citizen.

“This Russia investigation is essentially birtherism,” Garrett told CNN’s Brianna Keilar. “Imagine if there was a politically funded investigation of President Obama’s place of birth where the levers of power were leveraged.”

“Do you think Russia didn’t meddle?” Keilar asked. “Is that why you mean it’s birtherism?”

“The question is what the American government does to its own people against the Fourth Amendment right to privacy,” Garrett replied.

https://politicaldig.com/gop-lawmaker-wants-fbi-to-drop-russia-probe-because-its-like-investigating-obamas-birth-certificate/



Tom and wife, Flanna Garrett



Tom and wife, Flanna Garrett

[SomethingNew]

26. Seems to be a disconnect btw. pics. 3 and 4.

[Judi Lynn]

27. So glad you pointed it out! The protesters' photo was published early in March

after they had been ignored multiple times already.

The next story, with the headline which boasted: "Garrett faces foes and supporters alike at UVa" was published the last day of March.

The article mentions the people wanted him to address them in a much larger auditorium but his choice was to meet in a smaller place holding far fewer protesters who could shout him down.

Thanks for taking the time and concern to notice the difference.

[ck4829]

25. Kick