Numerous allegations of inappropriate and misogynistic actions by Doug Emhoff, the spouse of former Vice President Kamala Harris, have surfaced, focusing on his tenure at a prestigious Los Angeles law firm.
The claims against Emhoff include derogatory conduct and discriminatory practices largely targeting female colleagues, Mail Online reported.
At Venable LLP, where Doug Emhoff worked until 2017, allegations have emerged depicting a work environment filled with gender discrimination and sexism. Reports from multiple former colleagues depict Emhoff as engaging in behaviors such as harsh language directed at female staff and organizing men-only events, undermining his public persona as an advocate for women’s rights.
One specific allegation involved Emhoff retaliating against women who rebuffed his advances by revoking professional perks. This pattern, claimed by some, involved favoritism towards young, attractive female colleagues over more experienced staff. Moreover, a 2019 lawsuit highlighted potentially discriminatory hiring practices during Emhoff's management tenure.
Marjan Rabbi, a former legal secretary at Venable, propelled these issues into a broader dialogue by filing a lawsuit alleging sex discrimination against the firm, although the firm eventually settled the case outside of court. Despite these issues, Emhoff's behavior went seemingly unchecked for years. A senior staffer at Venable said, "He bragged about it to the management at Venable and they were aghast. He's an a**hole."
The controversy surrounding Emhoff also includes allegations of personal misconduct, ranging from striking an ex-girlfriend to an affair with his daughter's nanny, which reportedly resulted in a pregnancy.
These allegations starkly contrast his public image during his wife's vice-presidential campaign, where she often showcased him as a supportive partner advocating for gender equality.
Kamala Harris further complicated this image with her public statements on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, where she focused on supporting victims of domestic abuse without directly addressing the allegations against her husband.
As Kamala Harris noted, "The first thing that I would say to anyone going through it is tell someone that you trust. Don't, don't quietly suffer. You have done nothing wrong."
Emhoff’s professional journey saw him leave Venable LLP in 2017, where he had been since 2006, and join DLA Piper. He left before his wife was announced as a vice-presidential candidate in 2020, at which point he took a leave of absence from his new firm.
The resurgence of these allegations in recent media reports casts a shadow over Emhoff's career and his proclaimed advocacy for women's rights, thus raising questions about the discrepancies between his public assertions and his behaviors.
"He had, for many years cocktail parties where only men were invited," recalled another female former colleague, depicting an exclusive, boys’ club atmosphere.
In response to the alarming revelations, there is growing scrutiny on how these past behaviors align with the couple’s public statements and political positions, particularly with Kamala Harris’ known stance on women's and civil rights. This situation leaves the public pondering the authenticity of public figures’ private versus public personas, highlighting a significant divide that may impact both their personal and professional legacies.
