Thread: Lawmaker resigns after ‘inappropriate behavior’ with man in his office

Lawmaker resigns after ‘inappropriate behavior’ with man in his office

By Joshua Rhett Miller

November 16, 2017 | 11:59am | Updated

Modal Trigger
State Rep. Wesley Goodman Ohio State House of Representatives

MORE ON:

LAWMAKERS

Congresswoman to colleagues: Some of you are known pervs

A lawmaker in Ohio billed as the “conscience of the conservative movement” resigned after evidence surfaced of inappropriate conduct with another man in his office, according to a report.

State Rep. Wes Goodman, a first-term Republican representing Cardington, stepped down late Tuesday after meeting with House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger about the incident weeks ago in Goodman’s office that involved a male in a consensual situation, sources told the Columbus Dispatch.

Rosenberger’s office declined to release additional details on the incident, but a spokesman told the newspaper that it did not involve legislative staffers or other legislators.

“I met with him later in the day where he acknowledged and confirmed the allegations,” Rosenberger said in a statement. “It became clear that his resignation was the most important course of action for him, his family, the constituents of the 87th House District and this institution.”

No harassment complaints had been filed against Goodman, but someone with knowledge of the incident told House chief of staff Mike Dittoe of the allegations early Tuesday, according to the newspaper.

Goodman — a 33-year-old married conservative Christian whose campaign website touted his faith and said supporters regarded him as the “conscience of the conservative moment”— later acknowledged his personal “struggles” and “trials” in a statement released Wednesday. A picture on his site features a smiling Goodman with his wife, Bethany.

“We all bring our own struggles and our own trials into public life,” Goodman said. “That has been true for me, and I sincerely regret that my actions and choices have kept me from serving my constituents and our state in a way that reflects the best ideals of public service.

For those whom I have let down, I’m sorry.”

Goodman, who could not be reached for comment Thursday, then asked for privacy for himself and his family as he moves “onto the next chapter” of his life.

The former lawmaker’s Twitter account was protected as of Thursday and his Facebook page had been scrubbed. His page on the Ohio House of Representatives’ website was also no longer active as of Thursday.

The state’s Republican Party chairman, Jane Timken, said she supported Goodman’s decision, saying it was the “most appropriate” course of action for the now-former lawmaker.

Goodman’s resignation comes less than a month after that of Sen. Clifford Hite, a longtime Ohio Republican who stepped down Oct. 16 after a sexual harassment claim was filed by a staffer who claimed he repeatedly asked her to have sex with him at his condo in Columbus, according to the Dispatch.

https://nypost.com/2017/11/16/lawmak...in-his-office/

Schumer and top Dems seek ethics probe of Al Franken groping allegations

Findlay Republican Cliff Hite suddenly resigns from Ohio Senate

By Jim Siegel
The Columbus Dispatch
Posted Oct 17, 2017 at 9:47 AMUpdated Oct 17, 2017 at 9:34 PM

State Sen. Cliff Hite, the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, abruptly resigned from his northwest Ohio seat amid concerns of alleged improper conduct.

Colleagues said there was little warning that the Findlay Republican would step down. Hite did not return a message seeking comment.

“Sen. Hite submitted his resignation to me on Monday evening and I accepted it, effective immediately,” Senate President Larry Obhof said in a statement. He plans to announce a replacement process for the 1st Senate District by the end of the week.

GOP caucus officials declined to comment Tuesday on the speculation about why Hite, 63, resigned so suddenly. Obhof was scheduled to attend the non-voting Senate session early Tuesday afternoon, where reporters would be awaiting him, but backed out about an hour beforehand.

Related content
Sexual harassment training required for Ohio state senators
October 19, 2017

When the Dispatch caught up with Obhof later, he said he was not going to comment further at this time.

Both Obhof and Sen. Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, the majority floor leader, declined to comment when asked if Hite’s resignation is related to a sexual harassment complaint made by a Senate staff member or a Legislative Service Commission intern. “I defer to the president at this time,” Gardner said.

Obhof spokesman John Fortney also declined to comment when asked about the swirling allegations, saying only that he has no knowledge of a formal complaint being filed with the Senate clerk or the president’s office.

Hite’s resignation letter said, “I look forward to focusing on my personal health and spending more time with my family.” The letter was read into the record on Tuesday afternoon.

The Findlay Courier reported that Hite told the Findlay Kiwanis Club in mid-September that he planned to run for re-election in 2018, adding to the speculation that whatever occurred, it happened recently and was dealt with swiftly.

Hite, known for his coaching analogies and good-natured humor, served three terms in the Ohio House before he was appointed to the Senate in 2011. He was a former teacher and high school football coach who also played at the University of Kentucky. He had recently been working on legislation attempting to ease wind farm setback regulations.

http://newscycle.dispatch.com/news/2...om-ohio-senate