Current:Home > StocksOhio state lawmaker’s hostile behavior justified legislative punishments, report concludes-LoTradeCoin
Ohio state lawmaker’s hostile behavior justified legislative punishments, report concludes
View Date:2024-12-23 19:20:56
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An independent state-ordered investigation has concluded that Ohio legislative leaders were justified in disciplining a state lawmaker who was removed by House Democratic leadership from committees and banned from contacting staff following an alleged pattern of “erratic and abusive behavior.”
The investigation found numerous witnesses corroborated accusations of Cleveland-area Democratic Rep. Elliot Forhan’s behavior during the past year, including confrontations with other lawmakers, constituents, and lobbyists. The probe, requested by the leaders, was conducted by a Columbus law firm appointed by Republican Attorney General Dave Yost.
In response to the allegations, Forhan lost all of his committee assignments last November and was barred by House Minority Leader C. Allison Russo from contacting interns, pages and Democratic legislative aides. He also was required to have a House sergeant-at-arms accompany him while he was at the Statehouse.
The report states Forhan has repeatedly failed to comply with the latter provision, showed up at the Statehouse and a nearby legislative office building unannounced, and yelled at the sergeant-at-arms or one of his assistants at least twice.
Forhan’s behavior, if left unaddressed, would have posed “a significant threat to the institutional integrity of the Ohio House and its reputation, and posed a credible risk of escalating to violence or violent conduct,” the report concluded. However, it also stated that Forhan’s actions to date “do not warrant his removal from office,”
Forhan told Cleveland.com that the investigation was a “sham” that does not show his actions rose to “violence or violent conduct,” but just states that there could be at some future time, a contention he also disagreed with.
Forhan was elected to his first term in 2022 but was defeated in the Democratic primary last month, finishing third overall. His term will expire at year’s end.
veryGood! (59)
Related
- Whoopi Goldberg Shares Very Relatable Reason She's Remained on The View
- Yellowstone shuts down Biscuit Basin for summer after hydrothermal explosion damaged boardwalk
- San Diego Padres in playoff hunt despite trading superstar Juan Soto: 'Vibes are high'
- Allergic reaction sends Filipino gymnast to ER less than week before she competes
- PSA: Coach Outlet Has Stocking Stuffers, Gifts Under $100 & More for the Holidays RN (up to 60% Off)
- Olympic wrestler Kyle Snyder keeps Michigan-OSU rivalry fire stoked with Adam Coon
- Locked out of town hall, 1st Black mayor of a small Alabama town returns to office
- Recalled Diamond Shruumz edibles now linked to two possible deaths and cases in 28 states
- Charles Hanover: A Summary of the UK Stock Market in 2023
- Watch Billie Eilish prank call Margot Robbie, Dakota Johnson: 'I could throw up'
Ranking
- NBA players express concern for ex-player Kyle Singler after social media post
- Workers at GM seat supplier in Missouri each tentative agreement, end strike
- CrowdStrike shares details on cause of global tech outage
- North Korean charged in ransomware attacks on American hospitals
- Krispy Kreme is giving free dozens to early customers on World Kindness Day
- Blake Lively Crashes Ryan Reynolds’ Interview in the Most Hilarious Way
- Morial urges National Urban League allies to shore up DEI policies and destroy Project 2025
- Man dies at 27 from heat exposure at a Georgia prison, lawsuit says
Recommendation
-
Craig Melvin replacing Hoda Kotb as 'Today' show co-anchor with Savannah Guthrie
-
UN Secretary-General Says the World Must Turbocharge the Fossil Fuel Phaseout
-
Mary Lou Retton Tears Up Over Inspirational Messages From Her 1984 Olympic Teammates
-
Christina Hall Accuses Ex Josh Hall of Diverting More Than $35,000 Amid Divorce
-
The NBA Cup is here. We ranked the best group stage games each night
-
Morial urges National Urban League allies to shore up DEI policies and destroy Project 2025
-
In 'Illinoise,' Broadway fans find a show that feels like it 'was written about me'
-
Nebraska Legislature convenes for a special session to ease property taxes, but with no solid plan