FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Latest on a report Kentucky GOP House Speaker Jeff Hoover has settled a sexual harassment allegation with one of his…
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Latest on a report Kentucky GOP House Speaker Jeff Hoover has settled a sexual harassment allegation with one of his staffers (all times local):
8:15 p.m.
Kentucky’s Republican House speaker says he has no plans to resign and is more resolved than ever to continue in his leadership position despite a report that he settled a sexual harassment case outside of court with a member of his staff.
Jeff Hoover said in a statement he was disappointed Republican Gov. Matt Bevin called for him to resign on Saturday. Bevin held a news conference earlier in the day where he called for the resignation of any elected official who has settled sexual harassment allegations. Bevin did not mention Hoover by name.
Hoover accused Bevin of “grandstanding” and said Bevin has not asked for his side of the story. Hoover said he thinks Bevin wants him to resign because he has disagreed with him publicly in the past.
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5 p.m.
Kentucky’s Republican governor has called for the immediate resignation of any elected official who has settled sexual harassment allegations.
Gov. Matt Bevin held a news conference on Saturday at the state Capitol days after the Courier-Journal reported Republican House Speaker Jeff Hoover had settled a sexual harassment allegation outside of court with one of his staffers.
Bevin did not mention Hoover’s name and he would not answer questions from reporters. But he seemed to refer to the allegations when he said they have not been denied and have been corroborated by other sources. He also indicated the allegations involve multiple elected and unelected officials, but he would not identify them.
Asked if he wanted Hoover to resign, Bevin said “you heard me” as he left the rotunda.
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4:10 p.m.
Republican leaders of the Kentucky House of Representatives say they plan to hire a law firm to investigate a report that the House speaker settled a sexual harassment claim outside of court with one of his staffers.
A news release from the GOP leadership on Saturday says they did not consult House Speaker Jeff Hoover, but have informed him of the decision.
The Courier-Journal published a report earlier this week relying on anonymous sources to say Hoover had settled a sexual harassment claim with a staffer in his office. Hoover met with House Republicans privately Friday but told them he could not comment about the settlement.
GOP leaders say Hoover has the support of the caucus. But at least one Republican lawmaker has called for Hoover’s resignation.
