3 top Puerto Rico officials face sexual harassment probe

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Three top government officials are facing investigation after a state attorney said Tuesday that there was a pattern of sexual harassment at Puerto Rico’s Tourism Company.

The Women’s Advocate Office found that the company and the three officials never took action after three women complained of sexual harassment, state attorney Carmen Lebron said Tuesday.

The officials include Christian Sobrino, a top adviser to the U.S. territory’s governor. He could not be immediately reached for comment. Also facing investigation is former Tourism Company director Jose Izquierdo, who was forced to resign in January.

The Tourism Company said in a statement that it never received any kind of complaint related to the alleged case and that it is co-operating fully with authorities.

As part of the investigation, the Women’s Advocate Office said it also fined the company $20,000 because its sexual harassment policy was not up to date.

Company officials said that they have since revised the policy and held training for its employees.

Gov. Ricardo Rossello said his administration does not tolerate sexual harassment and will be closely following the investigation to be carried out by the island’s Justice Department.