Fletcher Rowley linked to Florida sexual harassment settlement

The Nashville political consulting firm of Fletcher Rowley Chao Riddle Inc. yesterday severed its relationship with a Florida congressman who allegedly promised a former employee a position with their firm.

ABC News reported Monday on its Web site that Congressman Tim Mahoney of Florida, the man who succeeded disgraced Rep. Mark Foley, has made a $121,000 payment to a former mistress who worked on his staff and was threatening to sue him. As part of a legal agreement that included the payment, Mahoney reportedly included a promise of alternate employment at a salary of $50,000 at FRCR.

In a statement, Fletcher Rowley Chao Riddle Inc. CEO Bill Fletcher, vigorously denied being a party to the legal agreement.

"As of today, FRCR Inc. has resigned from Tim Mahoney's campaign and permanently ended our relationship with him,” Fletcher said. "According to ABC News, Tim Mahoney apparently included our company in a secret legal settlement without the knowledge of our firm. Our firm did not agree to any legal settlement.

"If these allegations are true, Tim Mahoney's actions are unacceptable and not in line with FRCR's business ethics."

Fletcher Rowley Chao Riddle Inc. has a long client list of local, state and federal candidates. In 2007, FRCR was involved in Bob Clement’s failed Nashville mayoral campaign. Earlier this year, FRCR consulted on the crucial Mississippi Democratic special election victory of now Rep. Travis Childers over Southhaven Mayor Greg Davis. The firm is currently involved in several state Senate and House races in Tennessee.

Congressman Mahoney, according to The Hill newspaper in Washington has called for a House Ethics Committee investigation in the news reports. While Mahoney did not directly address or deny the allegation he did assert that, "I am confident that when the facts are presented that I will be vindicated."