2 Rhode Island Lawmakers Accused Of Sexual Misconduct Since 2017

PROVIDENCE, RI — Two Rhode Island lawmakers are among more than 100 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 in Rhode Island.

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 Rhode Island, then-Sen. Nicholas Kettle was charged with extorting a male page for sex on two occasions in 2011, and with video voyeurism in connection with sharing photos of his ex-girlfriend and another woman without their consent. Facing expulsion from the Senate, Kettle resigned in February 2018. He pleaded no contest to two counts of video voyeurism in 2019, and the extortion charges were later dismissed.

In addition, then-Rep. Cale Keable was accused of sexual harassment by House colleague Rep. Katherine Kazarian in an email. When it came to light several months later in October 2018, he was stripped of his chairmanship on the House Judiciary Committee and later lost his seat in the November election.

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.

Rhode Island legislators approved two bills related to sexual harassment and assault during the 2019 session. The first, signed into law by then-Gov. Gina Raimondo, extends the statute of limitations to sue over childhood sexual abuse to age 53, from the previous 25. It also allows for a lawsuit to be brought within seven years of the victim's first recollection of the childhood sexual abuse.

During the same session, the House of Representatives approved a resolution that created rules regarding sexual harassment, with a system for filing and investigating complaints.

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.

Sexual harassment training is required for both senators and representatives in Rhode Island.