OAS chief faces probe over relationship with staffer By Reuters

By Marco Aquino and Carolina Pulice

LIMA (Reuters) -Luis Almagro, the chief of the Group of American States (OAS), confirmed on Friday that he faces an inner investigation over a romantic relationship with a workers member, however denied it may need violated the group’s ethics insurance policies.

Almagro’s remarks, on the finish of the OAS’s annual summit this week in Lima, adopted a report by the Related Press that described a “long-running” consensual relationship with a Mexican-born lady 20 years his junior.

“My workforce and I are very calm, as a result of we’ve all the time taken the suitable measures, in order that no state of affairs can be in violation of (OAS) guidelines,” Almagro informed a information convention.

“I used to be by no means a supervisor of any individual with whom I had a relationship, I by no means promoted her and by no means raised her wage in any approach.”

The girl, who was not recognized, has been on unpaid go away since June, the AP mentioned.

Almagro, who has led the Washington-based OAS since 2015, beforehand served as international minister in his native Uruguay. He’s separated from his spouse, the AP added.

On Friday evening, Peru’s ambassador to the OAS, Harold Forsyth, mentioned he was conscious of the connection however denied there had been any impropriety.

“What I do know is he has a relationship with a girl who works on the OAS,” Forsyth informed Canal N tv.

The allegations got here simply weeks after the Inter-American Improvement Financial institution fired President Mauricio Claver-Carone following accusations, which he denies, that he had a relationship with a subordinate.

The OAS’ ethics tips say workers should not have intimate relationships once they intervene with the efficiency of their duties or “drawback others within the office.”

Additionally they dictate that managers should step again from “supervising or evaluating” the opposite particular person.