Another Ohio lawmaker has resigned over inappropriate behavior. House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger said in a statement on Wednesday that he asked for and received the resignation of Republican State Rep. Wes Goodman from Cardington.
A statement from Rosenberger says he received details yesterday about Goodman's involvement in inappropriate behavior.
The House Republican Caucus says someone lodged a verbal complaint about Goodman, but wouldn't say what he did - only that it involved someone not employed by the legislature and that it happened in Goodman's state office.
The caucus added that the unspecified behavior was not a case of harassment of any kind.
Rosenberger says he asked Goodman to resign once he learned about and confirmed the conduct.
“It is with deep regret that I have asked State Representative Wes Goodman to offer his resignation as a member of the Ohio House. I was alerted to details yesterday afternoon regarding his involvement in inappropriate behavior related to his state office. I met with him later in the day where he acknowledged and confirmed the allegations. It became clear that his resignation was the most appropriate course of action for him, his family, the constituents of the 87th House District and this institution.”
Goodman was in his first term serving Ohio’s 87th district, which covers Cardington.
In a statement, Goodman says he "sincerely regrets" that his actions and choices kept him from serving his constituents and state.
“Serving as the state representative for the 87th Ohio House District has been one of the great honors of my life. We all bring our own struggles and our own trials into public life. That has been true for me, and I sincerely regret that my actions and choices have kept me from serving my constituents and our state in a way that reflects the best ideals of public service. For those whom I have let down, I’m sorry. As I move onto the next chapter of my life, I sincerely ask for privacy for myself, my family, and my friends.”
On Monday, Michael Premo resigned his position of chief of staff for Democrats in the Ohio Senate because of inappropriate conduct. No other details were provided.
Premo’s resignation followed the October resignation of Republican State Sen. Cliff Hite, who admitted to making inappropriate comments to a woman who works for the Ohio Legislative Service Commissions. Other news outlets have reported Hite, who is married, repeatedly asked the woman for sex.
The week after Hite’s resignation, Speaker Rosenberger released records showing discipline after three other Ohio House lawmakers were accused of harassment in recent years. All kept their jobs, although one Statehouse staffer was fired. Goodman was not among the cases reported.
