Prominent 'Democrat for Cruz' with history of sexual assault allegations faces more accusations: report

28 April 2024

US Senator Ted Cruz last month, according to The Texas Tribune, "launched a group of 'Democrats for Cruz'" that "includes Democrats across the state, including local elected officials, law enforcement, business owners and industry advocates, who back Cruz in his reelection campaign" against Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX).

One of the prominent Democrats supporting Cruz is Javier Palomarez, who the Tribune notes, "formerly led the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce until 2018, when he stepped down over allegations of financial misconduct and sexual harassment."

In a Sunday, April 28 article, The Daily Beast reports:

As The New York Times first reported in 2018, a lower-ranked colleague of Palomarez alleged in court in 1996 that he made 'suggestive comments' and kissed and touched her on a work trip. The matter was ultimately settled, an attorney for the alleged victim told the Times.

A more explosive case arose more than two decades later, when Palomarez’s chief of staff at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce claimed she was 'subjected to discrimination on the basis of their gender, sexual harassment, and a generally hostile work environment,' in a lawsuit against the business advocacy group. Her complaint alleged that under Palomarez, then the organization’s president and CEO, she had suffered remarks about her appearance and clothing in the presence of other employees, as well as 'inappropriate, unwanted, and unconsented to touching.'

The Texas Tribune notes the Democrat "later told The New York Times that his ouster was retaliation over his willingness to work with the Trump administration."

A US Hispanic Business Council, which Palomarez currently leads, told the Beast, "To this day, none of the historically old and discredited allegations you are contacting the USHBC about were proven true in any civil, criminal or administrative proceeding. Not one allegation. Not one case. Not one substantiated finding made by any adjudicative body at any level."

During a recent recorded event, the Beast reports Palomarez said, "I happen to know a different Ted Cruz, the Ted Cruz that never, never gets mentioned in our national media. The Ted Cruz that collaborated with me, a known and lifelong Democrat."

The news outlet emphasizes, "The shared recording cuts out what Palomarez said they collaborated on: temporary visas for foreign-born tech workers. It also omits some of the less choice commentary and actions the Democrat’s female subordinates claimed he subjected them to at two different employers."

The Daily Beast's report is available at this link (subscription required). The Texas Tribune's report is here.

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