The seven-member state Senate Facilities and Operation’s Committee last week unanimously approved a special budget authorization that allows the secretary of the Senate, Brad Hendrickson, to hire an independent investigator to look into an allegation of rape against Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn.

Fain, who represents the 47th Legislative District, has denied the allegation and called for an investigation into the claim.

“We are all aware of the serious allegation made against Sen. Fain,” began Senate Majority Leader Sharon Nelson, D-Maury Island, who made the motion. “This incident allegedly took place prior to Sen. Fain’s election to the Legislature, and is not covered under our normal policies for respectful workplace behavior and does not clearly fall under any existing policy.

The as-yet-to-be-chosen investigator will report back to the Senate by Dec. 14, but by no later than Dec. 31.

In late September, Candace Faber, a former foreign service officer and an employee of Seattle’s Information Technology Department, said Fain had raped her in a Washington, D.C., hotel room in 2007, following a night of drinking that celebrated her graduation from Georgetown University.