Jay Parmley, North Carolina Democratic Party Director, Resigns Amid Harassment Allegations

Jay Parmley, the executive director of the North Carolina Democratic Party, resigned Sunday amid harassment allegations.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The executive director of the North Carolina Democratic Party has resigned amid concern among party activists about high turnover at the party headquarters and harassment allegations there.

Jay Parmley, who became the top administrator last year after holding a similar post in South Carolina, resigned Sunday.

He wrote in a resignation letter that he had "never harassed any employee at any time at the (state party) or in any other job."

State party leaders raised concerns after e-mails circulated last week that mentioned the allegations, which the party has not detailed.

State party chairman David Parker agreed that the issues involving Parmley were becoming a political distraction, particularly in an election year.

The Democratic National Convention will be held in Charlotte in less than five months.

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Comments

[John Sorger]

10:07 PM on 04/25/2012

This is the whole story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2134724/Ex-girlfriend-claims-NC-Democrat-infected-HIV-offered-health-insurance-DNC.html

[WinslowWong]

09:12 PM on 04/18/2012

This is obviously the fault of Republicans. If they had just shelved their mythological based fear and allowed gays to marry, this guy could have been paying alimony instead of hush money.

[Ed Miles]

10:40 PM on 04/17/2012

Oh puh lease!

What's the big deal? The republicans have to always make something out of nothing!

[janmB]

07:35 PM on 04/16/2012

Someone wanted his job.

[Carroll27]

05:21 PM on 04/16/2012

I'm an NC native and proud of it. And I'm delighted at this turn of events. This coupled with St. John Edward's upcoming trial ... ah how sweet to be a Repub in this state.

[Cherie Anne]

03:45 PM on 04/16/2012

I, too, have had the distinct pleasure to work with, for and to have him work for me. He is an amazing man who has more concern for the Democratic Party that almost anyone I know. I feel the allegations are bogus and comes so terribly close to the May primary with its civil rights question. I love and support Jay in any of his endeavors.

[Lairs]

05:14 PM on 04/24/2012

Amazing man??? Come on. He spread his nasty germ called Aids to this poor woman and ruined her life. Where was his concern for her? Where is his concern for other people? He is a liberal democrat who thinks of only himself. Like most of them do.

[Henry Rolligns]

06:04 PM on 04/25/2012

Jay Parmley Press Release: There’s no question at times of my life, partially driven by how passionately I felt about this Democratic Party, that I worked far too hard and things happened in my life that were not appropriate.

[ny hot mic]

03:24 PM on 04/16/2012

Scandal? what scandal? sounds to me like just the ordinary, everyday life of the libs - dems and corruption, dishonesty, immoral behavior all go hand in hand.

[kateslate]

05:11 PM on 04/16/2012

That's right. We NEVER hear of any scandals involving illicit activity and Republicans.....

[ny hot mic]

05:15 PM on 04/16/2012

Your'e LATE!

[lacaliffa1288]

10:54 AM on 07/05/2012

Deja "Schwatzenegger?"

[Impaler]

02:14 PM on 04/16/2012

Really, that is it, this is the article? What about the cover up, who paid the guy off who had been harassed. Was the guy being harassed even guy, or did Parmley like trying to convert straight men? How much was paid? who paid the tab for this, Taxpayers, or more illegal campaign fund expenditures like with Edwards?

Were is the rest of the story?

[GypsyRose]

01:55 PM on 04/16/2012

"But his quick departure did little to answer questions about the settlement or quiet critics of Party Chairman David Parker, a Statesville attorney. A number of party activists, both openly and privately, are calling for him to resign, too."

"Parker’s statement did not address the questions about a financial settlement and nondisclosure agreement with the former staffer who was fi.red in November soon after he complained about being se.xu.ally harassed by a senior party official."

Source: CharlotteObserver -- http://goo.gl/RhDi6

[DenverRight]

01:48 PM on 04/16/2012

No idea what he is accused of doing...

Democratic Party cleaning house...they are entitled to do so.

Parmley was forced to resign. It's over.

[rightfeet3]

01:28 PM on 04/16/2012

I thought this only happened to Republicans.

[sugarpops]

01:32 PM on 04/16/2012

Nah, it only happens to men.

[Pooter1]

01:21 PM on 04/16/2012

The embarssing aspect of this is that NC is set to vote on an Amendment to prevent same-sex marriage and even civil unions next month. Now it turns out the Exeutive Director of the NC Dem Party is involved in a gay sexual harassment scandal a month before.

Even though the gay aspect of the sexual harassment shouldn't be an issue, it will be when the Amendment is voted on next month.

[Kalzakath]

01:09 PM on 04/16/2012

I dont condone his actions, but why do Repubs seem to weather these and Dems dont. Cain and Thomas are still sitting pretty, just to name 2

[Carroll27]

05:21 PM on 04/16/2012

How is Cain sitting pretty? The guy is not the nominee.

[xUSAT]

01:06 PM on 04/16/2012

When a Democrat starts running his office like a Republican, it's time to go.

[Kyle Cox]

12:51 PM on 04/16/2012

Anyone who knows or has worked with Jay knows these allegations are bogus. He is a hardworking, honest and genuinely good person-- totally incapable of "harassing" anyone. It is a terrible shame when a public lynching occurs such as this for any undeserving individual. In particular when it happens to a such a capable public servant. They man has devoted his life to giving a voice to the voiceless-- and this is how he is thanked? Further, it is easy to read between the lines with regard to the manner by which such allegations were made public. This is about politics. I suspect Jay knew that, bit the bullet and resigned to keep it from impacting the elections in November. He is just that kind of guy.

[grayswindell]

01:38 PM on 04/16/2012

Who knows but it happened on his watch, line up the North Carolina Democrats , we have a long history of corruption, we should be proud , we are probally catching up with Lousianna , in corrupt politicians , I personally can;t speak for Jay as you can , but maybe you should read the emails before , this has been an ongoing thing from what i have read . Democrats have called for his head more than Reps

[Kyle Cox]

02:25 PM on 04/16/2012

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, the sorted history of intra-party fights are not exclusive to North Carolina. Just about every state I can think of (some of which I have worked alongside Jay) have had their share of infighting on both sides. The hard part sometimes is staying above it. My initial reference to "reading between the lines" was in regard to the emails you speak of. :)

[Flayer]

07:06 PM on 04/17/2012

Who are these "voiceless" I keep hearing from?