Esty Under Fire Over Handling of Former Staffer's Alleged Abuse

NEWTOWN, CT --- Tony Baker left his job as Sandy Hook Promise’s Ohio state director this week amid accusations that he punched and threatened a former staffer of Rep. Elizabeth Esty, who serves Connecticut's 5th congressional district, the News-Times has reported. Baker had been Esty's chief of staff at the time.

Now, Esty has come under fire for having kept Baker on her staff for three months after his alleged abusive behavior had come to light, and only terminating his employment once an investigation revealed a broader pattern of allegedly abusive behavior. Further, she recommended Baker for the job at Sandy Hook Promise after the full investigation had concluded.

The Hartford Courant called on Esty to resign Friday. (Read the Courant's editorial here.)

Esty has released a statement on her official Twitter in which she apologizes to the unnamed "survivor" of the assault "and to anyone else on my team who was hurt by my failure to see what was going on in my office."

Here is her full statement:

Sandy Hook Promise is a national non-profit organization founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. It is headquartered in Newtown.

Read more of the story at the News-Times.