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

Days before Josh Shapiro was passed over to become Kamala Harris' running mate an explosive sexual harassment scandal at his office re-emerged, and it could have cost him the 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.

It also involved the alleged victim signing the kind of all-encompassing secrecy deal that was exposed during the #MeToo scandal. 

Shapiro's handling of the harassment case last year was set to ignite questions over Harris's judgment if she picked him as her potential vice president.

It was unclear how important the scandal became during Harris' vetting of possiblel running mates but, in the end, she picked Minnesota governor Tim Walz after Shapiro had been widely viewed as the favorite.  

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro during a visit to the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 13, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris waves during a campaign rally, July 30, 2024, in Atlanta

Shapiro's office paid the money to a female former employee who had made a string 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 non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

NDAs, which legally require information to be kept confidential, came to the fore during the #MeToo era.

Their use in cases involving sexual misconduct in the workplace has since been restricted in nearly 20 states - but not in Pennsylvania.

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

It later emerged that harassment allegations had been made against him six months earlier, but he had remained in his position.

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

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

He allegedly told her: 'If you decided you wanted to do that go close the door to this office, tell me to bend you over this conference table, hike up your skirt and… that would be our decision to make.'

She also accused him of drunkenly telephoning her after a reception at Shapiro's governor’s mansion.

It was alleged that in the call he again suggested they have sex, and told her he knew how to hide from security cameras in tunnels underneath the Pennsylvania Capitol building.

The woman said: 'I was uncomfortable with how Mike was acting in the office - his constant sexually charged comments, and how he was addressing work-related issues.'

Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro holds a rally in support of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris' Democratic presidential election campaign in Ambler, Pennsylvania, U.S. July 29, 2024

After making her complaint the woman left her job in Shapiro's administration.

She also made a complaint to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

When the settlement was ultimately reached there was no admission of liability by either Vereb or Shapiro's office.

Following the official's resignation Shapiro's office publicly defended him.

Shapiro's chief of staff Dana Fritz said: 'Mike has spent decades serving our Commonwealth. Mike has been a key member of our team and thanks to his dedicated service, the Governor’s Office is prepared for the work ahead. We wish Mike all the best and we’re grateful for his service.'

However, a prominent Pennsylvania Democrat accused Shapiro of being involved in a cover-up.

Erin McClelland, the Democrat nominee for state treasurer in the state, wrote on X: 'If I were in her (Kamala Harris's) situation, I would think very strongly about the difficulties that some women experience being in a top-level position, and having men around them that have to be satisfied with being second, third or answering to a woman.

'I want a VP pick that’s secure enough to be second under a woman, is content to be VP & won’t undermine the President to maneuver his own election & doesn’t sweep sexual harassment under the rug.'

US President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden (L) and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (R) visit a coffee shop in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on July 7, 2024

In a statement the National Women’s Defense League said. 'We deserve leaders who will not brush sexual harassment under the rug, but will put accountability above politics.

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

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

The Pennsylvania State capitol building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

josh Shapiro, governor of Pennsylvania, at The Alan Horwitz "Sixth Man" Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024

In a statement to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, days before becoming Harris's running mate, Shapiro sought to quell the scandal.

His spokesman said Shapiro and his administration 'take every allegation of discrimination and harassment extremely seriously and have robust procedures 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 predators' including 'exposing decades of child sexual abuse and cover-ups within the Catholic Church.'