PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter is forcefully denying explosive allegations contained in a whistleblower complaint in which a former staffer accuses her of sexual exploitation, coercion, and retaliation.

In her first one-on-one interview on the matter, Baxter told WPTV's Michael Hoffman the complaint is a politically motivated "smear campaign" orchestrated by her opponent, a charge her rival calls "laughable."

WATCH: Mayor Sara Baxter denies explosive whistleblower allegations in exclusive interview

The complaint, which was filed just days before the primary election, is now the subject of an active investigation by the Palm Beach County Board of Ethics.

The Allegations in the Complaint

WPTV's Hoffman has obtained the whistleblower report, in which the former staffer, who remains anonymous, makes a series of disturbing claims.

"I am the victim of sexual exploitation, coercion, abuse of power, and retaliatory conduct," the complaint begins.

The document alleges Baxter "made comments about their physical appearance and encouraged them to present themselves in a more sexualized manner in front of potential donors."

The complaint claims the conduct escalated when a wealthy 77-year-old businessman, identified only as "Anderson," began expressing interest in the staffer. Baxter allegedly suggested the staffer "become Anderson's 'girlfriend'."

According to the report, after the staffer declined the advances, Baxter told them "that they should find...

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