FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Legislative Research Commission Director Bobby Sherman manages nearly 400 state employees. Now he'll be looked at more closely. Sherman will be the subject of a workplace investigation, an investigation prompted by an anonymous letter and a push from female state House members.

“I am pleased to say that it looks like we’ll be moving forward and getting to the bottom of whatever it is, or if not, we’ll be able to determine if there is nothing,” says State Representative Kathy Stein (D-Lexington). “But I think there is something.”

The anonymous letter complained that Sherman's relationship with an LRC employee had produced a harassing, hostile and biased workplace environment. That letter was sent to legislative leaders February 28.

But nothing was done until now, mainly because the lawmakers who write Kentucky’s workplace laws weren't sure and still aren't in agreement on how to proceed with an anonymous complaint against their own top employee.

“The legislature has to develop the political will to put into statute the same type of regulations that any business would have,” says Representative Tom Reiner (D-Louisville). “We should do what others are required by us to do, yes.”

While Democratic House leaders have agreed with Rep. Stein's push to hire an outside personnel lawyer to investigate Sherman, Republican Senate President David Williams has refused to join in. Williams tells WHAS11 News that launching personnel investigations based on unsigned letters could open a Pandora's box.

Sherman earns $131,000 a year and has been in state government for 31 years. But Representative Derrick Graham (D-Frankfort) says LRC staffers want someone to investigate the allegations against their boss.

“Those issues have to be addressed within the next few days or weeks to reassure staffers,” says Rep. Graham

Sherman says he doesn't know anything about the possible investigation he's facing. He told me in March that his longtime friendship with an employee has nothing to do with his management decisions regarding other legislative staff members.

Web story produced by Jay Ditzer.