The Speaker of the Ohio House is backpedaling on an apparent resignation request he sent last month to a Cincinnati-area representative after he was indicted. Republican Speaker Bill Batchelder now says he doesnât think he ASKED fellow Republican Rep. Peter Beck to resign in July after Beck was indicted on securities fraud charges. But Batchelder says he suggested that Beck consider stepping down.
Well, itâs up to him. He was elected, I believe, three times, and heâs done a great job as chairman of Ways and Means. I donât know the validity of these charges. I know that he is, heâs obviously disputing them.
In the letter, Batchelder writes âGiven the serious nature of the charges facing Representative Beck, it is my belief that it is in the best interest of the Ohio House, the people of his district, and his family for him to resign from the Ohio House at this time.â? Batchelder also has not removed Beck from his position as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. Batchelder says while Beck has what he says is a âdifficult challengeâ? ahead, he adds that Beckâs case is unlike the cases of former Reps. Carlton Weddington and Clayton Luckie, both Democrats who went to prison for ethics violations.