Highway Patrol report left no doubt Ferrell was trouble

The fact that it took a year after he received a Missouri Highway Patrol report on sexual harassment allegations against Agriculture Director Fred Ferrell to fire him casts doubt on the judgment of Governor Matt Blunt.

Not only did former office worker Heather Elder accuse Ferrell of sexually harassing her, but statements made by Ferrell to Patrol investigators left no doubt that he was a 19th century throwback in a 21st century position.

The complete report is featured on the Fired Up Missouri blog. In the interview, Ferrell was asked about Mrs. Elder's allegations that he had referred to a female who had once worked in his office as a "show dog," and about his comments about how Mrs. Elder should enter a wet t-shirt contest:

"I asked Mr. Ferrell if he had ever made statements around the office that could be construed as derogatory toward women. More specifically, I asked him if he ever referred to the lades in the office as "Princess" or ''Beautiful girl". Mr. Ferrell could not recall if he had ever made statements of this nature. In addition, I asked him if he ever referred to anyone as his, "show dog", or if he recalled a comment concerning a woman's inability to balance a checkbook. Mr. Ferrell advised that the term, "show dog", in regard to women, is a term of endearment. He advised that he often called his wife a "show dog", and conveyed a story how the term was used by his grandfather when he was younger. The story described a statement Mr. Ferrell's grandfather made about Mrs. Ferrell. The statement concerned Mrs. Ferrell being, "A 'show dog' (attractive), but can she hunt?" In regard to the checkbook comment, Mr. Ferrell advised he could have made that statement.

The report continues:

At this point of the interview, I asked Mr. Ferrell if he recalled a conversation concerning "jeans and more specifically, comments concerning a wet t-shirt contest at the office. Mr. Ferrell explained that he initially was not in favor of employees wearing blue jeans to work and he used the wet t-shirt comment as an analogy to illustrate the lack of professional image these "dress down" days project. He indicated that he did make the comment, and he did direct them toward Ms. Elder. He advised that he asked Ms. Elder what she thought of the idea and if she would enter the contest. He stressed that he never intended the statement to be taken negatively

.

Mrs. Elder was not the only woman interviewed by the Patrol who thought Ferrell's behavior was inappropriate. Former employee Misti Preston told the Patrol:

Ms. Preston stated that she had observed Ferrell kiss women on the cheek, hug them in an office atmosphere, and place his hand around their waists. Ms. Preston stated that Ferrell behaved this way to everyone, under all circumstances, and that people in the office had deemed this behavior a problem. Ms. Preston stated that when Ferrell would enter a room she would go to the opposite side of the room in order to avoid him. Ms. Preston didn't feel like Ferrell's behavior was sexual and therefore, didn't report it. Ms. Preston stated that Ferrell would act the same way when his wife was present, and she felt that this was just the way he was. Ms. Preston stated that the behavior was common throughout the office and that everyone witnessed the physical contact and improper comments. Ferrell made it known to Ms. Preston that he felt a woman's place was in the kitchen and she heard from others that Ferrell stated that some women were not pretty enough to man the Department of Agriculture booth.