Hillary Clinton reportedly refused to fire faith adviser accused of sexual harassment in 2008

Hillary Clinton had reportedly refused to fire a senior adviser who was accused of sexual harassment during her 2008 presidential campaign.

According to The New York Times, the faith adviser, Burns Strider, was accused of harassing a 30-year-old subordinate who was sharing an office with him. The woman alleged that Strider had sent her suggestive emails, rubbed her shoulders inappropriately and kissed her on the forehead.

Clinton was reportedly advised by her campaign manager to fire Strider, but the campaign only docked several weeks of pay and ordered him to undergo counseling, while the young woman was transferred to another job.

Five years later, Strider was hired to lead an independent group that supported Clinton's candidacy. However, he was fired after several months over workplace issues, including an allegation that he harassed another woman.

Clinton did not address why she ignored her advisers' recommendations to fire Strider but she issued a statement, claiming the victim's concerns were taken seriously.

"A story appeared today about something that happened in 2008. I was dismayed when it occurred, but was heartened the young woman came forward, was heard, and had her concerns taken seriously and addressed," she said in a tweet.

"I called her today to tell her how proud I am of her and to make sure she knows what all women should: we deserve to be heard," she said in another tweet.

A statement from Utrecht, Kleinfeld, Fiori, Partners — the law firm that had represented the campaign in 2008 — claimed that the woman's complaint was handled in accordance with the campaign's policies.

"To ensure a safe working environment, the campaign had a process to address complaints of misconduct or harassment. When matters arose, they were reviewed in accordance with these policies, and appropriate action was taken. This complaint was no exception," the statement said.

Officials familiar with the matter said the woman's complaint was forwarded to the Clinton campaign manager, Patti Solis Doyle, who approached Clinton and urged her to fire Strider, who was married at the time.

Clinton said that she did not want to, and allowed him to remain on her staff, according to campaign officials. Some of Clinton's senior campaign officials were reportedly troubled that she allowed Strider to remain on the campaign.

Doyle was fired shortly after Clinton's third-place finish in the 2008 Iowa caucuses, and Strider never attended the mandated counseling sessions.

The victim has not spoken publicly about the allegations against Strider, and had reportedly signed a nondisclosure agreement that prevented employees from publicly discussing internal dynamics on the campaign.