An NPR investigation has unveiled new allegations of sexual harassment against Rick Jacobs, a former top adviser to US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti. The investigation also raises questions about whether Garcetti, who served as the mayor of Los Angeles, lied under oath during testimony related to these allegations.
Eric Garcetti, a prominent Democrat and former mayor of Los Angeles, was questioned under oath in 2021 about allegations that he witnessed and enabled sexual harassment by Rick Jacobs, his close friend and political adviser. Jacobs, who had been a key figure in Garcetti’s political career, has faced multiple accusations of inappropriate behavior, including unwanted touching and crude sexual jokes. Despite the allegations, Garcetti, who has positioned himself as a supporter of the #MeToo movement, denied witnessing or being aware of any harassment by Jacobs.
Key Allegations
Jacobs, who has denied all allegations, had a reputation for making unwanted physical advances and inappropriate comments. Several former Los Angeles City Hall staffers testified that Jacobs engaged in such behaviour in the presence of Garcetti.
The NPR investigation includes testimony from two former communications directors for Garcetti, who believe he was aware of Jacobs’ conduct and lied about it under oath. A notable piece of evidence is a group photo in which Jacobs is seen making a suggestive gesture in close proximity to Garcetti, raising further doubts about the former mayor’s claims of ignorance.
The allegations came to light through a lawsuit filed by LAPD officer Matthew Garza, who accused Jacobs of years of harassment, often in Garcetti’s presence. Despite these severe accusations, Garcetti supported Jacobs until additional allegations surfaced, after which he severed ties with his longtime adviser.
White House Support
Despite the controversy, the Biden-Harris administration supported Garcetti’s appointment as US ambassador to India. The White House dismissed a Senate investigation into the allegations as a partisan attack, citing an earlier city investigation that cleared both Jacobs and Garcetti. However, critics argue that the city investigation failed to interview key witnesses.
After Garcetti was confirmed as ambassador, the city of Los Angeles settled the lawsuit with Officer Garza for $1.8 million, without admitting wrongdoing. Garcetti has continued to deny any knowledge of Jacobs’ alleged misconduct and has expressed regret that the case did not go to trial, attributing the allegations to a campaign aimed at damaging his political career.
Garcetti’s Controversial Statements On India
Garcetti was appointed last year after the country had no ambassador for two years. He warned that the India-U.S. relationship wasn’t “deep enough” to be taken for granted. He criticized the idea of “strategic autonomy” during conflicts and urged both nations to act as trusted allies, especially amid global crises like Ukraine.
He has made controversial statements in the past on human rights, particularly regarding India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). During his 2021 confirmation hearings, Garcetti pledged to “actively raise” human rights issues in New Delhi, drawing criticism from some Indian political figures who accused him of interference.
The NPR investigation has sparked renewed scrutiny of Garcetti’s actions and testimony, raising questions about the extent of his knowledge of Jacobs’ behavior and whether he perjured himself during the legal proceedings.
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