CIA statement on gay CIA contractor harassment claims

Brett Jones, a former Navy SEAL, will join Chris Hayes tonight to talk about the complaint he filed alleging he was the victim of homophobic bullying while working as a CIA contractor in Afghanistan. All In reached out to the CIA for comment about Jones’ allegations and received the following statement.

ON THE RECORD STATEMENT FROM CIA SPOKESMAN DEAN BOYD:

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• CIA has no comment on the specific allegations raised.

• We take very seriously any allegation of sexual, racial or any other form of harassment and/or discrimination at CIA.  We have a Zero Tolerance Policy against such behavior and CIA leadership is committed to holding all employees accountable for living and promoting this policy. 

• CIA’s Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (OEEO) oversees all complaints of discrimination and harassment for the Agency and advises employees, supervisors and managers on how to prevent discrimination and/or harassment in the workplace.  Pursuant to Agency Regulation, every CIA employee is advised that if he/she is the target of discrimination or harassment, they may initiate an allegation at any time by reporting the behavior to the appropriate supervisor, manager, or OEEO Counselor.

• For officers serving overseas, OEEO has established a 24-hour confidential “hot line” and a privacy email channel, both of which go directly to OEEO for appropriate action.  OEEO also has instituted a robust harassment awareness and prevention training program and a web-based online training that employees are required to complete prior to deploying overseas. 

• As we go about our vital work at CIA, we have a duty to treat one another respectfully and professionally, and to foster a culture of tolerance and inclusion.  That is what our Nation expects and what all our employees deserve.