Morgan Stanley executive Harold Ford Jr., who once represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives, has been has been fired from the global investment services firm amid allegations of misconduct, the Huffington Post reported Thursday.
"He has been terminated for conduct inconsistent with our values and in violation of our policies," a spokeswoman for Morgan Stanley told HuffPost in an email. Ford had worked as a managing director for the company since 2011. He was a Democratic member of Congress for a decade prior to that.
The former lawmaker's firing came after a human resources investigation into allegations.
At least one woman was interviewed by Morgan Stanley as part of the investigation, Huffington Post reported. That woman alleged Ford harassed, intimidated and forcibly grabbed her – and she had to seek help from a security guard.
The woman alleges Ford continued to contact her after the incident, and she eventually requested he cease doing so, according to HuffPost.
Ford responded to the allegations hours after the report.
"In regards to news today, This simply did not happen," Ford said. "I have never forcibly grabbed any woman or man in my life."
Ford gave a lengthier statement to HuffPost that can be read in full below.
"This simply did not happen. I have never forcibly grabbed any woman or man in my life. Having drinks and dinner for work is part of my job, and all of my outreach to the news reporter making these false allegations was professional and at the direction of my firm for business purposes. I support and have tremendous respect for the brave women now speaking out in this important national dialogue. False claims like this undermine the real silence breakers. I will now be bringing legal action against the reporter who has made these false claims about me as well as Morgan Stanley for improper termination."
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