Democratic MP Katie Porter denies firing a staffer for contracting COVID and implies she infected her after alleged texts from aides emerged
- Screenshots of text messages between Porter, D-Calif., and former employee Sasha Georgiades were shared, where Porter says to Georgiades, “You gave me Covid.”
- Porter does not acknowledge the employee’s apology, nor her explanation that she was not tested for viruses because she was preoccupied with the death of a friend
- Porter’s office said the employee was working on a two-year fellowship at the time, long scheduled to end in August
MP Katie Porter denied firing a staff member for passing Covid-19 to her after an irritated text message exchange emerged that appeared to imply otherwise.
The Dear White Staffers Twitter and Instagram account, popular for gossip on Capitol Hill, shared a text exchange between the California Democrat and a staffer with the caption, “VIBE CHECK: Rep. Katie Porter fires a staffer after both tested positive for COVID.” have been tested. Full texts of the congressmen firing the employee via text message. Shared with the employee’s permission.’
Screenshots of text messages between Porter, D-Calif., and former employee Sasha Georgiades, in which Porter says to Georgiades, “You gave me Covid,” and the employee’s apology or explanation that she was not tested for the virus, because she was busy not acknowledging the death of a friend.
The text exchange took place in July, and Porter’s office said the staffer was working on a two-year fellowship at the time, which had long been due to end in August. Georgiades also confirmed to Politico that she was not fired but had planned to leave.
MP Katie Porter denied firing a staff member for passing Covid-19 to her after an irritated text message exchange emerged that appeared to imply otherwise
“Congresswoman Porter informed her that she would be working from home for the remaining three weeks of her scholarship,” Porter spokesman Jordan Wong told
“Why didn’t you follow office protocol when testing? It’s really disappointing,” Porter said in July. ‘I’m very sorry. You’re right, I should have done better. Just because I felt okay at the moment doesn’t mean I was,” the employee wrote back.
“Sasha – I can’t let you back into the office as you’re not following office policy. Cody will be in touch with you when (sic) your personal items are being shipped or delivered to your home and will establish your remote work schedule and responsibilities for the past few weeks,” Porter said.
Georgiades went on to thank Porter, telling her: “I hate disappointing you in this way as I know that’s no excuse for finding out a friend was murdered by the Navy and my head isn’t in.” that was the right place. Not an apology but justification for the lack of foresight. I appreciate everything this office has done for me.’
Porter fired back: “Well you gave me Covid. In 25 months you broke the rules to make me sick. My children have no one to take care of them.’
Georgiades was a Wounded Warrior Fellow who worked in Porter’s office as a liaison for veterans and service members. She told Politico that she was not fired, but effectively banned from the office after the incident.
She said she held a Facebook Live event with Porter and tested positive shortly after. Porter texted her after notifying the office about the test, and “from that point on, she never said a word to me.”
Porter took office in 2019 and met with President Biden for a speech in Irvine in October
Georgiades said she wanted to stay in politics but was discouraged by the whole experience.
“In the end it just felt like no matter what I tried to do, nothing was received and nothing I did was taken seriously. So I just, I couldn’t do it.’
In September, Porter and her texting fingers made headlines with a scathing message she sent to Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan, telling her that city officials were a “disgrace”.
Porter blasted the department for arresting a man she lived with after he allegedly assaulted a pro-Trump protester in July 2021.
Julian Willis spent a ‘short’ time in jail for giving a bloody nose to a pro-Trump protester, but Porter texted the mayor: ‘I will never trust you again’ and ‘Your police are a disgrace’ reported Fox News.