A Republican state lawmaker from Vermont has apologized for repeatedly pouring water into a Democratic colleague’s bag after being caught on video.
On Monday, state Rep. Mary Morrissey publicly apologized on the House floor to state Rep. Jim Carroll, colleagues, and Vermonters. Both are from Bennington, a town of 15,000 in the state’s southwestern region.
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“I am truly ashamed of my actions,” Morrissey said of “her disrespectful conduct” against Carroll. She stated that she had apologized directly to Carroll and would strive toward “resolution and restoration throughout the legislative process.”
Carroll responded by telling the chamber that he sensed the sincerity in her voice but had to be honest, stating, “For five months, I went through this,” and that Morrissey had a choice each time she did it.
“It was torment,” he claimed.
Carroll revealed to The Associated Press that he soaked his tote bag in a Statehouse hallway several times a week in January and February. Then, after being accused of driving under the influence in February and returning from treatment, he reported that his suitcase was soaking practically every day.
“It was relentless,” Carroll recalled, adding that he was reasonably certain it was Morrissey, who he said frequently mistreated him. On April 23 and 26, he placed a video camera behind a scarf on the opposite wall and recorded Morrissey pouring water from a glass into the bag. Carroll shared the video with CBS station WCAX-TV last week and brought it to House Speaker Jill Krowinski, who confronted Morrissey with it.
“This is a truly disturbing situation that is at odds with our legislative practices,” Krowinski, a Democrat, stated. Furthermore, she said, “The integrity and decorum of our legislative proceedings and of legislators are of paramount importance, and any actions or behaviors that compromise these values will be thoroughly investigated and addressed.”
Carroll told WCAX-TV that he would leave his Economic Development Committee chamber to check on his suitcase hanging outside. He said, “There were times when it wasn’t wet at lunchtime but was at nightwet.”
Morrissey, who is under investigation for ethics violations, has also been removed from a critical committee, according to the station.
Morrissey has not explained why she did it, and she has not responded to an email requesting a comment.
“Quite honestly, I’m not sure why I did it. “I didn’t mean to hurt Jim; it was very out of character for me, and I’m ashamed of myself,” she told WCAX-TV last week.
Carroll told lawmakers on Monday that the first time he and Morrissey meet to chat will be awkward, “but we have to start somewhere.”
