President of Major U.S. Union Accused of Sexual Harassment
Ten people describe experiencing or witnessing inappropriate behavior by AFGE president J. David Cox. He denies the allegations.
J. David Cox, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), speaking during a news conference on Jan. 9, 2019, about the partial government shutdown and furloughed federal workers.
Photographer: Al Drago/BloombergIn April 2017, Brett Copeland was weeks into a new role at the largest U.S. federal employee union when, he says, the head of the union, J. David Cox, repeatedly told him he loved him. Then he stuck his tongue in Copeland’s ear.
The two were in Palm Springs, Calif., for a meeting, making their way back to their hotel after running into each other at a bar, when the 66-year-old president of the American Federation of Government Employees urged his newly promoted 31-year-old communications director to come have a drink in his room. Cox invited Copeland to check out his Jacuzzi. He declared his love again and again.