Tony Tooke

The head of the United States Forest Service stepped down Wednesday February 7 2018 amid an investigation into sexual harassment accusations against him, a spokesman for the Agriculture Department said. The resignation of the agency’s chief, Tony Tooke, comes days after “PBS NewsHour” reported that the Agriculture Department was investigating sexual misconduct complaints against him, including that Mr. Tooke had relationships with subordinates before his appointment to the top role. Sonny Perdue, the agriculture secretary, appointed Mr. Tooke over the summer; he had been at the agency for several decades. Mr. Tooke wrote in the email to Forest Service staff that his retirement would be effective immediately, the department spokesman said.