Former Utah Democratic Party official denies harassment, wants party apology

The man once again at the center of sexual harassment allegations inside the Utah Democratic Party, leveled by seven women in 2017, denied the claims, and said the party’s new apology over the way it handled the allegations should extend to him.

Rob Miller made those comments in an exclusive 2News interview, in which he also outlined what he believes is unfair treatment by the Democratic Party.

The people who are making these accusations have never been put through scrutiny,” Miller said. “They’ve never allowed themselves to be scrutinized.”

As a group, the women made a host of claims: inappropriate touching, kissing, comments, and revealing his under garments.

“Are you, were you a sexual harasser?” 2News asked.

Miller responded with an emphatic “No.”

He said he wanted a trial inside the Democratic Party, and hired attorney and former Salt Lake City mayor Rocky Anderson as his lawyer.

“We were ready to go forward, and a few days before the trial it was canceled,” he said.

Miller and Anderson maintained party vice chair Nadia Mahallati pushed the harassment allegations to further her own political career. At the time, she was running against Miller to lead the Democratic Party.

“That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard,“ Mahallati said.

“Do you believe these women?“ 2News asked her.

“I do,” Mahallati replied. “They’re my friends, and I don’t have any reason to not believe them.“

Miller said he and his attorney are not shaming his accusers.

“Anybody that says we’re shaming women should look at some of the posts and some of the comments that have been made online about me,” he said. “You can take my life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, but you can’t change who I really am. You don’t get to decide that. I do.“

“There are a lot of people in the Democratic Party who say women should be believed. Are they wrong?“ 2News asked.

“I believe it goes against due process to just automatically assume that somebody’s telling the truth just because of their sexual identification,” Miller replied.

The party may investigate, anew, harassment claims.

Women who accused Miller, whom we spoke to on Thursday, said the party apology is good — but it’s unfortunate it took so long.

Miller said his time in the Democratic Party is over. He’s now a registered Republican.