Last week, the San Jose Chamber of Commerce (rebranded as the SVO) sent out a tone-deaf, offensive email defending their decision to endorse Pierluigi Oliverio, a candidate for Santa Clara County Supervisor and accused sexual harasser. Oliverio was sued for sexually harassing and verbally abusing his female Chief of Staff while he was her employer. See this lawsuit filing to read the abusive and disgusting words attributed to Oliverio.
In part, the Chamber’s email says that their, “enthusiastic endorsement of Oliverio continues” and that “Oliverio was accused by a city employee of using colorful language.” The backlash the SVO received from their email has been intense. The National Women’s Political Caucus of Silicon Valley has quit the Chamber, and Randi Kinman, a member of Democratic Activists for Women Now (DAWN) has spoken out against the Chamber standing side by side with Oliverio.
Yesterday, after much scrutiny and public outcry, the Chamber issued an apology, stating that their “words diminished the severity of a sexual harassment claim.” They are, however, still endorsing Oliverio.
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