Trooper accused of sexual harassment

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Department of Public Safety is investigating a sexual harassment complaint against a trooper assigned to the State Capitol, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.

According to two independent sources, the alleged incident took place in a state representative's office last week, and the complaint was filed Feb. 12.

"DPS has zero tolerance for sexual harassment. The employee in question has been relieved of duty, suspended, and an internal investigation is under way," said DPS spokesperson Tela Mange, in a statement.

Mange said the employee is suspended with pay pending the outcome of the investigation. She confirmed the complaint was filed Friday, and said the trooper was forced to hand over his gun and badge Saturday morning.

Mange refused to release the trooper's name or release any further details, citing the ongoing investigation.

She said troopers and DPS employees are trained on sexual harassment policies when they are hired and "every couple of years" after that.

In an unrelated incident last week, DPS Trooper Joe Moreno was arrested by Austin Police and charged with a DWI. Mange said he was traveling off-duty on Highway 183 when arrested.

Mange said Moreno was also assigned to the Capitol complex.

Moreno was immediately suspended but has since retired from the Department, according to Mange.