Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Democrats call for Sen. Daylin Leach to resign
POLITICAL LEADERS IN CHESTER COUNTY >> including the head of the county Democratic Committee and two newly elected area state legislators — are calling for the resignation of state Sen. Daylin Leach over allegations of sexual misconduct.
Leach, D-17th, of Lower Merion is subject of a state Senate investigation after he was accused of sexually forcing himself on a then-17year old in 1991. He denies the allegations.
Cara Taylor, now 44, complained to 40 lawmakers of the allegations, while Leach was defending her mother on attempted murder charges. Taylor was later convicted of perjury related to the case.
The complaint falls outside the statute of limitations and is too old to prosecute. Seven other women have accused Leach of improper touching or inappropriate comments and Leach has filed defamation suits against Taylor and two other women promoting her allegations.
Leach said Taylor is an “admitted liar and notorious perjurer.” Taylor pleaded guilty to charges of perjury and false swearing after she told the court that she, not her mother, had attempted to kill her step-father.
In January, newly elected state Sen. Katie Muth, D44th, of Royersford, whose district includes part of
northern Chester County, circulated a letter to members of the Senate Ethics Committee asking for Leach’s expulsion, contending that he has used the power of his office to intimidate
women who have accused him of sexual harassment or assault.
“His behavior is disturbing and unacceptable from a sitting elected official,” wrote Muth, who has spoken about her experience as a rape survivor and had already in the past called on Leach to resign. “We must demand better of those we
trust to act on behalf of this body as a voice for the people of Pennsylvania. That voice is loud and clear: this culture of rape ... intimidation and reprehensible behavior must end.”
On Tuesday, Dick Bingham, chairman of the Chester County Democratic Committee, said he personally believed that Leach
should resign, but that the committee as a whole had not taken any position.
“I hate to say it, but I think it would be the right thing for him to do,” said Bingham, of Kennett Square. “But he is not in Chester County at all, so we’re more of an observer (as a committee).”
In a letter to Democratic Floor Leader Sen. Jay Costa, D-43rd, state Rep. Kristie Howard, D-167th, of Malvern, who was elected to her post in November, suggested it was time for Leach to step aside.
“I am calling on Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leadership to help create an environment where victims of sexual abuse can come forward without fearing unwarranted retaliation,” she wrote. “The chilling effect of these suits is stark and simple – intimidation.”
Howard asked Leach to step down in an emailed release.
“Leave no doubt about it, sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and sexual discrimination cannot be tolerated and perpetrators of such acts need to suffer the consequences of their actions,” Howard wrote. “Having said that, my background as an attorney leads me to respect the right of due process, when required, or a fair process before action is
taken against the accused.
“To date I have not taken a public position in regard to the accusations surrounding state Sen. Daylin Leach. However, given his recent action filing a defamation lawsuit against three women in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, I feel compelled to speak out and demand he withdraw the lawsuit immediately.
“The women being sued are of modest means, and the legal action taken by Sen. Leach is nothing less than financial bullying and abuse through the courts – something commonly faced by women who attempt to call to account men of greater financial means. One of the women being sued has reported on social media that it may cost as much as $200,000 for the women to defend themselves.”
“(G)iven Sen. Leach’s action in court against the three women, it seems to me he is not as interested in ‘due process’ as I would have hoped. The ongoing Senate investigation certainly would devote time and resources to better understand the substance of the claims made by the accuser Sen. Leach is now suing.
“His lawsuit is an obvious act of political grandstanding that uses the people’s court to intimidate and oppress
those who seek to call him to account. It further serves to give other women pause before stepping forward and seeking relief when they believe they have been victimized by people with more power and resources.
“Additionally, I have called on Senate leadership to help create an environment where victims of sexual abuse can come forward without fearing unwarranted retaliation.”
Leach released an email statement through a spokesperson on Monday:
“Sen. Leach has a proven track record of defending women’s rights, but he won’t stand idly by while three women are trying to destroy his career and his family through this barrage of salaciously false allegations,” the statement reads. “He has every right to defend himself through the courts. This should in no way discourage legitimate victims who are actually telling the truth from coming forth.”