An abuse of power, or a simple inquiry? A Monroe County legislator tells Spectrum News more about her complaint and allegation against Congressman Joseph Morelle.

“This has been a really painful process for me," said Monroe County Legislator Sabrina LaMar of the 27th District.

What You Need To Know

  • Monroe County Legislator Sabrina LaMar is calling for an investigation into Congressman Morelle

  • She says the congressman tried to have her fired from her job at RIT after she appeared on a social media video of a Morelle political competitor

  • The Morelle campaign says the congressman did not ask for LaMar’s termination, but he admits he did contact RIT with questions about the video

  • LaMar said she wants Morelle to resign

LaMar is calling for a congressional investigation into Rep. Morelle. She filed a complaint after she says Morelle tried to have her fired from her job at RIT. This, LaMar says, happened after she appeared on a social media video of a Morelle political competitor.

“Well my supervisor told me that Joe Morelle called one of the ladies in administration and said that he wanted me terminated," said LaMar.

LaMar said she appeared on the video with the permission of her supervisor to talk about her role in RIT’s CERV program, an initiative working with the community to curb gun violence in the Rochester area.

The Morelle campaign says the congressman did not ask for LaMar’s termination. However, Morelle admits he did contact RIT with questions about the video. Morelle released screenshots of that text conversation.

He states that this clearly demonstrates that at no point was there any attempt to threaten LaMar’s employment, nor discuss funding for the institution.

“I think as a congressman, when you call any establishment and inquire about an employee, I don’t think that you necessarily have to say that we will pull funding from you…absolutely, there are some implications when you make those calls," said LaMar.

LaMar believes RIT should now release all of the communications between Morelle and the institute in regards to this matter. RIT says it does not comment on personnel matters. 

She said it took a great deal of strength to come forward, “I felt very humiliated, I felt like he was abusing his power," said LaMar.

She is receiving support, including the backing of the mayor.

"I am tired of people like Joe Morelle using their position to silence women," said Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren on Monday.

“I’m so honored that she put herself on the line for me and women like me,” she said. “I know that this was very hard for her to do, but I appreciated that. I appreciated her support. And more importantly, I appreciated that she believed me.”

LaMar said of Morelle, “I want him to resign, and I want the speaker of the House to ask for his resignation. This is a pure violation of the oath that he took and a violation of the congressional code of conduct and he must go.”

She said that she has heard from the Office of Congressional Ethics that it has received the complaint.