Vermont lawmaker caught repeatedly pouring water into colleague's bag
A recent incident in the Vermont State Legislature has brought forth an apology from Republican State Representative Mary Morrissey. Morrissey publicly addressed her actions on the House floor, expressing remorse for repeatedly pouring water into the bag of her Democratic colleague, State Representative Jim Carroll. The incident was caught on video, which led to confrontations and discussions within the legislative body. This is reported by SSP.
Morrissey emphasized her deep regret, acknowledging her disrespectful conduct towards Carroll and extending her apologies not only to him but also to her colleagues, and the citizens of Vermont. She affirmed her commitment to pursuing resolution and restoration through the legislative process.
Carroll, in his response, spoke of hearing the sincerity in Morrissey's apology while highlighting the impact the ordeal had on him for five months. He referred to the torment he experienced every time Morrissey chose to perpetrate the act. The Democratic representative revealed that his tote bag, which he typically hangs in a hallway at the Statehouse, was regularly soaked throughout January and February and even more frequently after his return from rehab following a charge of driving under the influence in February.
Sharing his perspective, Carroll noted the relentless nature of the acts, pointing out Morrissey as the likely perpetrator due to her previous mistreatment of him. Taking matters into his own hands, he installed a video camera concealed behind a scarf on the opposite wall, successfully capturing footage of Morrissey pouring water from a glass into the bag on multiple occasions in late April. Carroll brought this evidence to the attention of House Speaker Jill Krowinski. Speaker Krowinski stated her concern over this "truly disturbing situation," stressing the importance of upholding integrity, decorum, and the sacredness of the legislative process. She vowed to thoroughly investigate and address any actions or behaviors which compromise these core values.
As of now, Morrissey has remained silent about her motivations behind these actions and has not responded to requests seeking comment. Carroll, on the other hand, reached out to his fellow lawmakers during his address, recognizing that the initial conversation between him and Morrissey would be awkward but emphasizing the need to start somewhere in order to find some resolution to the situation.