6 Ohio Lawmakers Accused Of Sexual Misconduct Since 2017

COLUMBUS, OH — Six Ohio lawmakers are among more than 100 politicians across the country now accused of sexual misconduct in the four years since the onset of the national “#MeToo” reckoning in 2017, according to data collected by The Associated Press.

The state lawmakers are among other politicians, entertainers and business leaders exposed in the social justice movement to end sexual abuse and sexual harassment. The movement began in 2017 when movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, now a convicted sex offender, was accused by more than 80 women of sexual misconduct allegations dating back to the late 1970s.

The movement that inspired the #MeToo hashtag also prompted a flurry of new legislation, training requirements for legislators and investigative guidelines in statehouses across America, including Ohio.

The AP compiled the database as part of its ongoing coverage of how politicians are responding to sexual misconduct claims. It includes state lawmakers only.

It doesn’t include members of Congress or other elected officials investigated regarding sexual misconduct claims — notably New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is embroiled in a sexual harassment investigation, or Florida Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz, who was initially investigated in connection with sex trafficking and now faces a larger review into public corruption.

Some of the allegations against state lawmakers are no less serious.

Nationally, more than 40 of the accused state lawmakers have resigned or were expelled from office, and at least as many others faced other repercussions, including the loss of committee leadership positions, The AP reported. A handful were cleared.

The lawmakers included in the database are predominantly men, but a couple of women also have been accused of sexual misconduct. Both Democrats and Republicans are the subjects of what could be career-ending investigations.

In Ohio:

Sen. Clifford Hite resigned in October 2017 after being accused of harassing a state employee.

Rep. Wes Goodman resigned in November 2018 after the married lawmaker was accused of having an affair with a man in his office.

Rep. Michael Henne lost his vice chairmanship of a committee after a state employee accused him of making inappropriate comments.

Rep. Rick Perales admitted to flirting with and sending inappropriate texts to a constituent, but denied accusations that he forcibly kissed and choked her. His accuser later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of coercion related to her tactics, the Associated Press reported.

Rep. Bill Seitz issued a public apology after he reportedly made offensive remarks, including jokes about sex scandals, during a January 2018 going-away party for a House staffer. He was cleared of a sexual harassment accusation in April after an investigation by an outside firm.

Sen. Matt Huffman issued a public apology for making offensive remarks, including a suggestive reference to female genitalia, during a January 2018 going-away party for a House staffer. He was re-elected in 2020.

About three-fourths of the states have passed some 75 laws and resolutions over the past two years that target sexual harassment, abuse or assault in government or in private business. About half the states renewed or extended deadlines to pursue criminal charges or civil lawsuits over childhood sexual abuse. Ohio has not passed any legislation related to the #MeToo movement.

States also updated their sexual harassment policies and required training of lawmakers on appropriate workplace conduct. At least 45 House chambers and 43 Senate chambers now require legislators to receive training on appropriate workplace conduct and on preventing, identifying and reporting sexual misconduct.

About half of state legislative chambers have turned to independent investigators to look into complaints of sexual misconduct and harassment by lawmakers.

Ohio does require training for both House and Senate lawmakers. All accusations of sexual misconduct require an external investigation.