Alaska Senator Seeks Treatment After Accusations Of Harassment

JUNEAU, Alaska - A state senator accused of sexually harassing two female legislative aides and a 17-year-old page has left the state to be treated for alcoholism.

Sen. George Jacko, 33, faces an investigation into possible violations of Alaska's new ethics law. But several colleagues urged Alaskans to give him a second chance.

The case has consumed the Legislature since Jan. 16, when Jacko twice called police before dawn for help getting into the motel room of Heather Bradner, a former Jacko aide who now works for another senator.

He told a police dispatcher he urgently needed to talk to her about confidential state business. But an officer determined the matter was personal and declined to help. The police report said Jacko had been drinking.

Since then, a former House page has accused Jacko of sexually harassing her in 1991. The page, who was 17 at the time, said Jacko followed her home after an end-of-session party and made unwanted advances.

This week, another former legislative aide said Jacko also harassed her in 1991. Underwood said Jacko, who is married and has three young children, even offered to trade his vote on a bill for a date.

At a Jan. 21 news conference, Jacko apologized for the motel incident and said he may have an alcohol problem. He hasn't commented on the other harassment allegations.

Four residents of Jacko's district filed ethics complaints last week over the motel incident. Senate President Rick Halford formed a temporary ethics panel, which hired a private investigator to look that case.

The Legislature's permanent Ethics Committee is being reorganized into a citizen-dominated panel under the new ethics law. Once the new panel is formed, it will take over and decide whether to expand its investigation to include the latest allegations.

Meanwhile, Jacko will undergo "extensive alcohol and psychological treatment" for 10 days at an undisclosed location, Halford said.

He added that Jacko had overcome many obstacles in his life and that he deserved another chance. Jacko reportedly grew up in a family troubled by alcoholism, sexual abuse and violence.

"In a human sense, we have to look at someone who had come a long way, and give him a chance to go forward if he can," Halford said.

Halford and other Senate Republicans also have political reasons for wanting Jacko to stay in office. Jacko is the only Democrat in their coalition, which holds just an 11-9 majority. Without Jacko's vote, the Republicans alone cannot pass any legislation.

Senate Democrats, on the other hand, say they want to ensure the case "doesn't get swept under the rug," said Sen. Suzanne Little. "This is unacceptable behavior and there will be consequences for it," she said.