Wisconsin Lawmakers Accused Of Sexual Misconduct Since 2017

MADISON, WI — Three Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.

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 Wisconsin:

Rep. Josh Zepnick (D) was removed from legislative committees in December 2017 after being accused of kissing two women against their will at political events several years ago. He was defeated in the August 2018 Democratic primary.

Rep. Rob Brooks (R) resigned as assistant Assembly majority leader Sept. 26, 2018, while acknowledging he made "stupid comments while under the influence of alcohol" to three female lawmakers. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that included sexual comments to two lawmakers and a racially insensitive remark to another after a July event involving the Republican caucus. He won re-election in 2020.

Rep. Staush Gruszynski (D) was removed from committee assignments in December 2019 after an investigation of a complaint determined he "verbally sexually harassed" a legislative employee while at an offsite location after work hours. Assembly records released in August 2020 include a complaint from a staffer that Gruszynski tried to coax her into sex. He was defeated in the August 2020 Democratic primary.

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.

In Wisconsin, legislation includes Assembly resolution passed in January 2018 that makes one-time training for Assembly employees and members mandatory every two years.

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.

In Wisconsin:

House training required- Yes
House training required-Yes
House external investigations- No
Senate training required-Yes
Senate external investigations-No