Bryan Slaton expelled from Texas House over sexual misconduct allegations
Brady Knox
Video Embed
The Texas House voted 147-0 to expel state GOP Rep. Bryan Slaton over sexual misconduct allegations, even though he had resigned the previous day.
The vote strips Slaton of several benefits he would have enjoyed otherwise, including his House salary and per diem, which he would have still received following his resignation if he was not subsequently expelled, the Texas Tribune reported. It also means he will leave immediately rather than be able to continue to sit on assigned committees.
TEXAS STATE REP. BRYAN SLATON RESIGNS OVER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS
Slaton is the first to be expelled from the legislative body since 1927.
“This Texas House is not going to hear from multiple complainants about serious and alarming facts and then turn the other cheek or simply slap a member on the wrist,” state GOP Rep. Andrew Murr, who headed the investigative committee into Slaton’s conduct, said on the House floor.
“My heart breaks,” he added. “I suspect that yours does too.”
“I hope the action we’ve taken here today sends a message that sexual harassment and inappropriate activities in the workplace will not be condoned and they are unacceptable,” GOP Speaker Dade Phelan said.
Murr had distributed a memorandum earlier on Tuesday urging the House to still vote on Slaton’s expulsion despite his resignation, as it was the only way to eject him from the House immediately.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The Texas Republican was accused of giving staffers under the age of 21 alcohol and allegedly invited a 19-year-old to his condominium on the night of March 31 into the morning of April 1. After her friends had left, the girl was heavily intoxicated and, in that state, allegedly had sexual intercourse with Slaton, according to a report.
In the aftermath, Slaton was accused of intimidating the girl and her friends in an attempt to prevent word from getting out. Other representatives and staffers learned of the liaison within a couple of weeks after the incident, and the investigation commenced by mid-April. It was concluded on Saturday, and it presented the unanimous recommendation that Slaton should be expelled.