Missouri Senate hires attorney for 'harassment complaint'

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Missouri Senate has hired a lawyer in response to a "workplace harassment complaint."

A document obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press shows the Senate hired the attorney May 7.

The legal fee agreement didn't give additional details regarding the complaint, but Minority Leader Joe Keaveny said the Senate is conducting an internal investigation. He declined to comment further.

Jim Nowogrocki of St. Louis-based Weiss Attorneys at Law will be paid $270 an hour for legal counsel and advice. Keaveny, of St. Louis, also works at that law firm.

The Senate investigation comes amid fallout from the resignation of former Republican House Speaker John Diehl. Diehl resigned earlier this month on the last day of session after admitting he had exchanged sexually suggestive text messages with an intern.

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