Did Josh Shapiro’s office sexual harassment scandal and the ‘cover-up’ tank his bid to be Kamala Harris’ VP choice?

Just days before Josh Shapiro was passed over to become Kamala Harris’ running mate, another explosive sexual harassment scandal surfaced in his office that could have potentially cost him his job.

As governor of Pennsylvania, Shapiro’s office recently settled a sexual harassment case against one of his top aides in a deal that cost taxpayers $295,000.

The alleged victim also signed a comprehensive non-disclosure agreement that came to light during the #MeToo scandal.

Shapiro’s handling of the harassment case last year would raise questions about Harris’ judgment if she were to pick him as her potential vice president.

It was unclear how significant the scandal became as Harris explored possible running mates, but she ultimately chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, after Shapiro was widely seen as the favorite.

Shapiro’s office paid the money to a former employee who had made a series of allegations against a man who had been one of his closest political friends for two decades.

As part of the agreement, the woman and Shapiro’s office signed a confidentiality agreement.

NDAs, which legally require information to be kept confidential, emerged in the #MeToo era.

Its use in cases of workplace sexual misconduct has now been banned in nearly 20 states, but not in Pennsylvania.

Mike Vereb, 57, was Shapiro’s secretary of legislative affairs when he resigned in September.

It later emerged that allegations of harassment had been made against him six months earlier, yet he was still in his post.

The Philadelphia Inquirer obtained a statement from the alleged victim to the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity.

In it she described how Vereb allegedly suggested that they have a sexual relationship.

He allegedly told her, “If you decide you want to do that, close the door to this office, tell me to bend you over this conference table, pull up your skirt and… that’s our decision.”

She also accused him of calling her while drunk after a reception at Shapiro’s governor’s mansion.

It was alleged that during the phone call, he again suggested having sex and told her he knew how to hide from security cameras in tunnels beneath the Pennsylvania Capitol.

The woman said: ‘I felt uncomfortable with the way Mike was behaving in the office – his constant sexually suggestive comments and the way he handled work-related issues.’

After filing her complaint, the woman left her job with Shapiro’s administration.

She also filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

When a settlement was eventually reached, there was no admission of liability by Vereb or Shapiro’s office.

After the official’s firing, Shapiro’s office publicly defended him.

Shapiro Chief of Staff Dana Fritz said, “Mike has spent decades serving our Commonwealth. Mike has been an important member of our team, and because of his dedicated service, the Governor’s Office is prepared for the work that lies ahead. We wish Mike the very best and are grateful for his service.”

However, a leading Pennsylvania Democrat accused Shapiro of involvement in a cover-up.

Erin McClelland, the Democratic candidate for the state’s Treasury secretary, wrote on X: “If I were in her (Kamala Harris’) position, I would think very carefully about the difficulties some women face in top positions while surrounded by men who have to settle for second or third or answer to a woman.

“I want a vice presidential candidate who is confident enough to run second to a woman, who is comfortable with his vice presidency, who doesn’t undermine the president in trying to influence his own election, and who doesn’t sweep sexual harassment under the rug.”

In a statement, the National Women’s Defense League said: “We deserve leaders who don’t sweep sexual harassment under the rug, but put accountability above politics.

“We need leaders who prioritize effective policies, protocols and a culture that prevents sexual harassment and protects victims.

“The American people deserve to know that Governor Shapiro, if called to higher office, will do more to ensure the safety and dignity of employees, volunteers and constituents in his office.”

In a statement to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star days before he became Harris’ running mate, Shapiro attempted to squash the scandal.

His spokesman said Shapiro and his board “take every allegation of discrimination and harassment extremely seriously and have robust processes in place to thoroughly investigate all reports.”

He said that as the state’s attorney general, Shapiro had a track record of “protecting survivors and prosecuting child abusers,” including “exposing decades of child sexual abuse and cover-ups within the Catholic Church.”