FORT WORTH, Texas -
Tarrant County's tax assessor is calling on District Attorney Joe Shannon to step down following a sexual harassment settlement.
The DA's office was recently ordered by the state's attorney general to release documents from an investigation into allegations that Shannon sexually harassed a female co-worker.
Sabrina Sabin, a former assistant DA, claimed he systematically harassed her verbally and physically.
The lawsuit was settled last year and Sabin received a payout of more than $300,000. Overall, it cost the county about a half a million dollars.
The DA is an elected official and answers to the voters, but fellow Republican Ron Wright said the ethical thing for Shannon to do is resign. He said he believes the documents have permanently damaged his reputation and trust with the public.
"If even a couple of those accusations are true, he should not be in public office," Wright said.
Shannon has denied the claims. He released a statement saying he has no intension of resigning.
"The Tarrant County District Attorney's Office is widely regarded as the best in the state. This office is not defined by the settlement of one complaint, but by the hard work of our prosecutors. Many violent criminals have been taken off the streets. I will continue to lead this effort," he said.
County commissioners and other officials have said little about the settlement, primarily because they signed a non-disclosure agreement.
