Idaho state Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger.Photo: TNS via ZUMA
An Idaho state lawmaker, Aaron von Ehlinger, resigned Thursday after he was accused of raping an intern and colleagues from both sides of the aisle admonished him for his behavior at work.
Ehlinger, 38, sent his formal resignation letter Thursday after theIdaho Statesmanreporteda state House of Representatives ethics committee announced unanimous plans to expel him from office.
“After careful deliberation and prayer I have determined that I will not be able to effectively represent my constituents and … have decided to resign my seat effective immediately,” Ehlinger wrote, according tothe Associated Press.
TheStatesmanreports the Boise Police Department is currently investigating the allegation as a rape and Ehlinger, who resigned, has not been charged.
Members of the Idaho House heard hours of testimony on Wednesday from both Ehlinger and the woman, who testified behind a black curtain and remained unidentified to protect her identity.
Idaho state Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger (left).Rebecca Boone/AP/Shutterstock
State Rep. Wendy Horman, a fellow Republican, rejected that defense.
“There is no House rule against poisoning another person, yet his behavior has poisoned all of us,” Horman said, according to the AP. “Conduct unbecoming is an undefined term for a reason per our rules.”
Another GOP colleague, state Rep. Brent Crane, accused Ehlinger of a “predatory pattern” of behavior.
Lawyers for the woman expressed concern for her coming to the statehouse to testify in front of the House’s ethics committee on Wednesday, because members of the public are allowed to attend such hearings.
Some audience members were supporters of Ehlinger, according to multiple news outlets.
The AP reports that local conservative blogs and at least one Republican lawmaker, state Rep. Priscilla Giddings, had discovered and shared the intern’s name online.
Idaho state Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger.TNS via ZUMA
“Every time a system fails to protect survivors it reinforces why survivors of sexual violence choose not to report and to suffer in silence,” the lawyers added.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.
source: people.com
