(Providence, RI) -- Rhode Island Democratic Party official Joseph DeLorenzo is issuing an apology for his comments about sexual harassment allegations recently made by State Representative Teresa Tanzi. The second vice-chair of the party expressed skepticism during a recent interview about Tanzi apparently being told she could get bills passed in exchange for sexual favors. He said on Monday he never meant to minimize the issue of sexual harassment and notes it is a very serious issue. House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello called for DeLorenzo to apologize on Friday, while many other Democrats have called for him to resign.