State Rep. Brian Banks, D-Harper Woods, has another problem in a lengthening list.
A lawsuit by former aide Tramaine Cotton accuses the first-term legislator of sexual harassment, according to M.L. Elrick of Fox 2 News, who reported on earlier on Banks' financial snags and district residency questions.
State Rep. Brian Banks, D-Harper Woods, is serving his first term in Lansing.Cotton and attorney Darryl Segars allege that Banks regularly pressured Cotton to spend the night with him.
"After we left the fundraiser, we go to the hotel, and he's like, 'So, you're really going to stay?' And I'm like, 'I don't want to, but, I mean, if you're talking about I'm not doing my job because I'm not staying up here, I'll chill. I'll stay today,' " Cotton said.
In his lawsuit and in an exclusive interview, Cotton said he let Banks give him oral sex, but it was against his will.
Elrick says "Banks just walked away" when he tried to show the House member a copy of the suit in Lansing and seek a comment.
Like many defendants, he is choosing not to comment until he is served personally with the lawsuit. That may happen as soon as Wednesday.
The investigative reporter, who shared a Pulitzer while at the Free Press, also quotes Cotton as saying he had no legislative-related duties in Banks' office.
Cotton has told me the job was a sham. . . .
Unlike most legislative aides, Cotton said he didn't work on public policy matters or help [constituents] Public with their problems.
Elrick quotes the $29,150-a-year staffer as saying "I would be on Facebook promoting my parties" while in Banks' Lansing office.
Earlier coverage: Troubled State Rep. Brian Banks Might Be Expelled If He Lied About Residence, May 16
