Former state official accused of sexual harassment

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A former state official denies a claim that he sexually harassed a woman in his Milwaukee office building.

Irene Correa has filed a sexual harassment complaint in Milwaukee County Circuit Court against Manuel Perez. He’s the general manager of Esperanza Unida, a job training agency.

Perez was appointed secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development by Gov. Scott Walker in 2011, but left abruptly after serving five months in the position.

Perez says he “emphatically” denies the harassment allegations and is confident it will be cleared up in the legal process. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says a hearing has been set for Aug. 20.