Top Biden aide consulted for Illinois politician against #MeToo allegations and the woman who claimed sexual harassment in apparent ethics breach

It has been revealed that SKDK, the communications firm co-founded by top Biden aide Anita Dunn, worked both sides of a #MeToo case involving a powerful Illinois politician.

Between 2018 and 2019, Dunn provided "crisis communications" assistance to then-Speaker of the state's House of Representatives, Michael Madigan. At the same time, SKDK advised Alaina Hampton, a woman who was suing him for allegedly retaliating when she dared to report sexual harassment by her supervisor.

According to NPR, while Dunn personally provided support to Madigan, Hampton was helped by her firm in partnership with the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund. The lawsuit was eventually settled, with Hampton receiving $75,000. Her lawyers pulled in a sizable payout as well.
 

"To learn that [Dunn] was helping advise my former employer on my retaliation case due to sexual harassment is just a clear conflict of interest," Hampton said, "and I think anyone can see that for what it is; it's really a violation of trust and it feels like a betrayal."

Time's Up Legal Defense Fund also said it was surprised to learn that Dunn's firm had been assisting Madigan, adding that they "share [Hampton's] frustration."

SKDK's involvement in both sides of the case was only recently brought to light. During a trial in August related to an ongoing federal corruption investigation into Madigan, evidence was provided in which two of his aides were heard via FBI wiretap discussing the assistance Dunn had provided.

A spokesperson for SKDK initially claimed that the firm had "a stringent internal conflict process," and that, "the work for the former Speaker cleared that."

Before long, however, the statement was revised, with the firm apologizing to Hampton and admitting that "the decision to work with then-Speaker Madigan's campaign on these matters was an error in light of the support Ms. Hampton was receiving from another firm through a separate initiative we were proud to support."

Dunn has long presented herself as a supporter of sexual harassment survivors, however, she has come under fire for providing assistance to known abusers, including Harvey Weinstein.