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More Misconduct Allegations Surface At Statehouse

Ohio Statehouse Legislative Chamber
Bob Hall
/
Flickr

More allegations are surfacing about inappropriate sexual comments by Ohio lawmakers – this time at a party about a block away from the Statehouse.

Democratic Sen. Cecil Thomas says he wants an investigation into what allegedly happened at a going-away party for an outgoing Republican staffer.

Thomas says he is concerned by comments attributed to some top Republican lawmakers that disparaged women, including some current female lawmakers. Those comments were published on a the 3rd Rail Politics blog that, among other things, reports rumors about state leaders.

“If this did in fact happen, then we have to take action to send the correct message that this is not going to be tolerated at the Ohio Statehouse, regardless of who you are, whether you are a member of the Senate or just a staffer or a member of the assembly," Thomas said. "It’s not going to be tolerated. We are going to end this and this is the time to do it.”

Brad Miller, a spokesman for Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, says Republican Rep. Candace Keller is one of the lawmakers who was upset. Miller says Keller has talked to Rosenberger and House legal counsel but at this point, nothing formal has been filed.

Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.