Image Courtesy: Zahra Hajee's Instagram
SAN FRANCISCO — Zahra Hajee, a former aide to City Supervisor Rafael Mandelman and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, has accused Kevin Ortiz, co-president of the Latinx Democratic Club and a former staffer for Representative Nancy Pelosi, of sexually assaulting her twice in 2021. The allegations have ignited a significant discussion on sexual misconduct within San Francisco’s Democratic Party.
Key Details
- Zahra Hajee reported the assaults to San Francisco police and identified herself publicly.
- Kevin Ortiz denies the allegations, claiming the encounters were consensual.
- A special committee has been formed to address sexual misconduct within the party.
Hajee, now residing in Los Angeles, reported that Ortiz assaulted her in her apartment in March and April 2021. She initially informed Pelosi’s office in 2022 and filed a police report after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from Ortiz’s attorney in April 2022. The letter accused her of making defamatory statements.
Despite Ortiz’s attorney presenting text messages to support the claim of consensual encounters, Hajee insists she did not consent and felt compelled to speak out. Another woman also accused Ortiz of inappropriate conduct in 2019, and Ortiz denies an allegation.
Ortiz met Hajee while they were both working for state Senator Scott Wiener and Representative Pelosi. The alleged incidents occurred after they spent time together socially. Hajee acknowledged continuing to pursue a relationship with Ortiz after each incident, attributing her actions to being young and confused.
Ortiz’s attorney accused Hajee and the other woman of collaborating to defame Ortiz. Both women reported their allegations to Pelosi’s office but did not receive updates on the investigation. Ortiz left Pelosi’s office in June 2022.
“Consent is simple — and on several vulnerable occasions, I did not consent,” Hajee stated.
The allegations against Kevin Ortiz have brought to light serious concerns about sexual misconduct within San Francisco’s Democratic Party. The formation of a special committee aims to address and prevent future incidents, but the community remains divided over the handling and motivations behind these cases.
This situation profoundly impacts the local political landscape and the broader conversation about workplace harassment, especially within the Indian and South Asian communities in the US.