Sexual harassment probe of AIG head in final stages

By Kim Jae-won

AIG Korea CEO Steven Barnett

The nation’s human rights agency said Wednesday that its probe of AIG Korea CEO Steven Barnett over alleged sexual harassment of a female employee is in its final stages.

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea said the state agency will soon complete its five-month investigation into the actions of the British businessman. In February, Barnett was accused of sexually harassing a company employee, allegedly asking her to sit on his knee in a car.

“Our investigators have questioned him since the employee and the company’s trade union filed a complaint against him,” said a spokeswoman of the human rights agency.

However, she declined to elaborate on the matter, saying information on sexual harassment cases is confidential.

The agency said that it will urge the company to punish Barnett if it concludes he is accountable for the alleged sexual harassment. The human rights institution said it will file a complaint with the prosecutors’ office against the AIG executive if it collects clear evidence proving a crime.

Observers said the five-month investigation into Barnett is exceptionally long, considering other cases are completed within three months. The agency declined to comment on that issue.

AIG Korea said the company is waiting for the results from the human rights agency, and will deal with the matter according to the decision. The company said it still believes that the sexual harassment accusation is baseless.

"AIG is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy and respectful workplace. The company takes these allegations seriously and following a comprehensive analysis of the facts, it was determined that the complaint is without merit. We will continue to cooperate with the NHRC review," said the company in a statement.

Barnett has led the insurer for the last four years. He is also chairman of the company’s board of directors and AIG Global Partners, an AIG owned shared service company.

He vowed to transform the company into a leading player earlier this year, but the sexual harassment allegation hit him hard, preventing him from pushing his agenda.