Action 3 News - Omaha, Nebraska News, Weather, and Sports | Suttle Staffer Out After Sex Allegations Surface
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Omaha, NE - Before he even takes office, Mayor-elect Jim Suttle fires a member of his staff.
Matt Samp was Suttle's co-chief of staff. The firing follows published allegations that Samp had a sexual relationship with a teenager in the late 1990s, allegations that Samp vehemently denies.
According to the Omaha World Herald Samp was 23 years old at the time, and the teenager was 14.
In a five minute public statement, where he refused to take questions, Suttle would not say if he believes the allegations against Samp, but Suttle made it clear Samp is gone.
"I have asked Matt Samp to separate himself from my administration. He will not be my co-chief of staff; he will not serve in my administration."
Samp issued a statement saying,"Any allegations against me are false, untrue, and uncorroborated by any facts...meant to hurt me, my family, and now to harm Mayor-elect Suttle."
Suttle insists that when it comes to hiring, his administration is following normal city procedures, including criminal background checks, "A criminal background check would not have revealed the allegations made against Matt Samp."
Suttle is set to be sworn in June 8th.
Reported by Joe Jordan, joe@action3news.com
