The staffer, who once served as an intern in Welch’s office, told the paper she had several interactions with the speaker that made her “uncomfortable” after she left Benton’s staff. That Tribune report put even more pressure on Welch, who was already facing questions for his handling of sexual harassment claims against Benton. According to Welch, his chief of staff at the time heard through second-hand sources that there were issues in Benton’s office. Welch said his office learned about the incidents on Feb. 19, and he met with his chief of staff, chief ethics officer and chief counsel the following day. “Workplace culture goes beyond sexual harassment, and a lot of the conversations we’ve been having with members these last two weeks, they believe that too — that it goes beyond sexual harassment,” Welch said.