Colorado lawmaker expelled from state House for misconduct
The Colorado House of Representatives voted to expel Rep. Steve Lebsock Friday afternoon after hours of debate over the ouster.
Lebsock was accused of harassment and sexual misconduct by multiple women. His expulsion is the first in the Colorado House in more than 100 years.
The resolution to expel Lebsock passed shortly after 4 p.m. with 52 votes for and nine votes against. The House recessed until 4:45 p.m.
However, there’s one wrinkle in that Lebsock switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican shortly before the vote. Committees were scrambling Friday afternoon to figure out who would pick Lebsock’s replacement to the legislature.
Gov. John Hickenlooper also issued a statement following the vote.
“Today’s vote by Colorado’s House of Representatives was important and necessary to address well-documented instances of sexual harassment in the workplace,” Hickenlooper said in a statement. “This has been a painful chapter and it is our sincere hope that we all learn from the bravery of the women who came forward.”
10:15 a.m.
A Colorado state lawmaker who accused a Democratic colleague of sexual harassment says an expected vote on whether to expel him isn’t part of a vendetta.
Rather, Democratic Rep. Faith Winter said Friday, the move involving Rep. Steve Lebsock is about punishing the abuse of power.
House lawmakers were debating a resolution to expel Lebsock after a report by an outside investigator was provided to lawmakers this week.
Lebsock denies claims by Winter and four other women that he harassed them in the statehouse and at restaurants and bars.
The independent investigator found the claims to be credible.
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9:25 a.m.
Colorado state House lawmakers have begun debate over whether to expel one of their own over sexual misconduct allegations.
An independent investigator determined that claims by five women that Democratic Rep. Steve Lebsock had harassed them are credible.
Lebsock denies the claims. He’s been given a total of 2 ½ hours during Friday’s debate to argue why he should retain his seat.
Democrats control Colorado’s House but don’t have the two-thirds needed to pass their expulsion resolution.
Not one Republican has indicated that they would vote to expel. They say the Legislature’s investigative process is fraught with problems.
An Arizona state representative is the only state lawmaker to have been expelled over sexual misconduct allegations since the rise of the #MeToo movement.
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12:40 a.m.
An effort by Colorado Democrats to expel one of their own over sexual misconduct allegations faces tough odds Friday amid Republican objections to how the complaints have been handled.
A redacted report released Tuesday found credible claims by five women that Democratic Rep. Steve Lebsock had harassed them.
Lebsock denies wrongdoing.
Democrats, who control Colorado’s House but don’t have the two-thirds needed, scheduled debate and a vote Friday on a resolution to expel Lebsock. Not one Republican has indicated they would vote to expel.
An Arizona state representative is the only state lawmaker to have been expelled over sexual misconduct allegations since the rise of the #MeToo movement. A California state senator resigned just moments before his colleagues sought to formally expel him.
