Legislator expelled in Arizona
Believed to be first to be voted out since #Metoo movement began in fall
PHOENIX — The Arizona House voted Thursday to expel a Republican lawmaker after a report ordered by legislative leaders of his own party showed he engaged in a pattern of sexual harassment toward women.
Rep. Don Shooter of Yuma is believed to be the first state lawmaker in the U.S. to be voted out of his seat since the #Metoo movement against sexual misconduct began last fall.
Other legislators nationwide have resigned or been stripped of their leadership posts after being accused of misconduct.
The fallout comes months after Republican Rep. Michelle Ugenti-rita said Shooter propositioned her for sex and repeatedly commented on her breasts. Many other women, including the then-publisher of Arizona’s largest newspaper, then complained that he subjected them to inappropriate sexual comments or actions.
Shooter told The Associated Press that he deserves to be punished but did nothing to justify expulsion.
Shooter had been facing censure, but Republican House Speaker J.D. Mesnard moved for a vote to expel him after the embattled lawmaker sent a letter to fellow lawmakers Thursday. It alleged the investigative report that Mesnard commissioned into Shooter’s and Ugenti-rita’s behavior whitewashed accusations against another House member that were far worse than what Shooter is accused of doing. Shooter would not name the lawmaker.
In other developments Thursday:
The Humane Society of the United States voted Thursday to keep chief executive Wayne Pacelle in his job after an internal investigation identified three complaints of sexual harassment against him. Seven board members resigned in protest immediately after the decision, The Washington Post reported.
California legislative staff members moved one step closer to winning whistleblower protections if they report sexual misconduct or other misbehavior under legislation passed Thursday by the state Senate, which had stonewalled the measure for four years.
Rachael Wong , the former head of Hawaii’s Department of Human Services, confirmed Thursday that she filed a sexual harassment complaint with the Hawaii State Ethics Commission against former House Speaker Joe Souki.
Shares of Guess fell Thursday after Kate Upton accused company co-founder Paul Marciano of sexual misconduct on social media. Guess shares fell nearly 15 percent, or $2.74, to $15.63 in trading Thursday.
Record executive Charlie Walk said he won’t appear on next week’s finale of the Fox competition show “The Four.” He was placed on leave Wednesday by Republic Records after a former employee accused him of sexual harassment in an open letter posted on her website.