News / Politics

Colorado lawmaker expelled over sex abuse allegations

Saturday, 03 March 2018 8:47 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 03 March 2018 10:08 AM ]

Then Colorado state Representative Steve Lebsock listens during a debate in the chamber whether to expel the lawmaker over sexual misconduct allegations on Friday, March 2, 2018, in the state Capitol. (AP photo)

A lawmaker in the US state of Colorado has been expelled after being accused of sexual harassment or abuse by numerous female representatives in the state’s legislature.

Steve Lebsock, a Democratic member of the Colorado House of Representatives, the lower house of the state's General Assembly, was not present when lawmakers voted 52-9 on Friday to expel him.

One of his accusers — fellow Democrat Faith Winter — cried and smiled and was mobbed by supporters after the historic vote.

Winter and four other women accused Lebsock of harassment and intimidation inside the Colorado General Assembly and at area bars and restaurants.

Lebsock, who bitterly contested the claims, said his accusers were lying and accused an independent investigator of bias in concluding the claims were credible.

Lebsock left the statehouse during Friday's daylong debate and changed his political party affiliation to Republican about an hour before he was expelled.

Lebsock was the third state lawmaker in the US accused of sexual harassment since the #Metoo movement emerged last fall.

Two state lawmakers from California and Arizona were expelled in February over sexual misconduct allegations.

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A group of female US Democratic lawmakers are planning to wear black to President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address.

A number of female lawmakers in the US Congress in Washington have also come forward with their own stories of abuse while continually calling for accountability among elected officials.

In October, The New York Times first reported on multiple allegations of sexual abuse by disgraced Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein.

Since then, similar allegations have led to the ouster of many powerful men in politics, business and entertainment in the US and the UK and the #MeToo movement has emerged to help demonstrate the widespread prevalence of sexual misconduct.

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