In a significant development for North Carolina’s Department of Insurance, a former staff member has filed an ethics complaint against Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey. April Taylor, who served as a regulatory analyst, alleges that Causey engaged in sexual harassment and misused state resources during his tenure.
Allegations and Evidence
Taylor, a resident of Forsyth County, claims that Causey sent her inappropriate text messages over several years. She has shared some of these messages with WRAL, which include comments that made her uncomfortable. Taylor describes her relationship with Causey as initially friendly, due to family ties, but states that it became uncomfortable due to the nature of the messages.
In addition to the harassment allegations, Taylor accuses Causey of campaigning on state time and using a state vehicle for personal purposes, including attending a family wedding. She has expressed her willingness to provide further evidence and testify under oath to support her claims.
Response from Causey and the Department
Commissioner Causey has expressed his openness to an investigation, stating, “The truth will come out.” He declined to comment further on the allegations, citing them as a personnel matter. A spokesperson for the Department of Insurance has confirmed that they will comply with any requests from the State Ethics Commission regarding the matter.
While Causey acknowledges sending work-related texts to Taylor, he disputes the nature of the messages as described by her. Taylor, however, maintains that the messages were inappropriate and left her feeling uncomfortable.
Implications and Next Steps
The complaint has been filed with the State Ethics Commission, and the Department of Insurance has received a copy. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for the department and Causey’s role as commissioner. As the situation unfolds, both parties have indicated their readiness to cooperate with the investigation to ensure transparency and accountability.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
