Oregon lawmaker resigns amid groping, harassment allegations
Source: Associated Press
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon state senator resigned Thursday after an investigation determined he had harassed multiple women in the Capitol building with prolonged hugging, groping and other unwelcome physical contact.
Sen. Jeff Kruse said in a statement he denies the allegations, but is stepping down so his colleagues may focus on serving Oregonians without distraction.
An investigative report released Tuesday documented allegations that he harassed female colleagues while talking to them in public areas of the Senate.
The investigation was one of many in statehouses nationwide following a wave of sexual misconduct allegations against men in power since an October expose of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein by the New York Times. In Arizona, Republican state Rep. Don Shooter was voted out of office on Feb. 1 after sexual misconduct allegations, becoming the first state lawmaker in the U.S. to be expelled since the #MeToo movement gained steam.
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By ANDREW SELSKY
26 minutes ago
Read more: https://apnews.com/b91d26d0196d472786594acb954c5a38/Oregon-lawmaker-resigns-amid-groping,-harassment-allegations
Jeff Kruse is a Republican, although the AP article does not clearly say so.
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