Texas state Rep. Bryan Slaton resigns over sexual misconduct allegations

Texas state Rep. Bryan Slaton resigned after an investigative committee recommended dismissing him over sexual misconduct findings involving a 19-year-old intern.

A House investigative committee unanimously recommended expelling Slaton, 45, for an inappropriate sexual relationship with his female aide, whom he reportedly gave alcohol and had sexual relations with while she was under the influence, the Texas Tribune reported. Slaton tried to get ahead of a Texas House vote to expel him by resigning on Monday. He faced the prospect of becoming the first representative expelled from the legislative body since 1927.

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“This is to inform the people of my legislative district, The Governor of the State of Texas, and the House of Representatives, that I hereby resign my position as a member of the legislature effective immediately,” Slaton wrote in his resignation letter.

“It has been an honor to represent my friends, neighbors and the great people and communities of House District 2. They voted overwhelmingly to send me to the Capitol as their representative in two elections, and I worked daily to meet their expectations. My decision today is to ensure that their expectations will continue to be met by a new representative who will also work hard on their behalf,” he said.

Slaton went on to thank his colleagues for their work, and the former representative said he now looks forward to “spending more time with my young family.”

The Texas Republican was alleged by the investigative committee to have given staffers under the age of 21 alcohol and 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, had sexual intercourse with Slaton, according to a report. Neither Slaton nor the girl denied having sex when questioned.

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.

“The expulsion of a fellow member is a level of punishment we don’t take lightly. It is not meant to punish the member. Rather, it is intended to protect the integrity and dignity of this legislative body and to provide accountability to everyone that works and serves in this building,” Rep. Andrew Murr, the investigative committee chairman, said.

The Texas House Freedom Caucus, a conservative group typically aligned with Slaton, released a statement on Sunday calling for him to resign.

“The factual report from the House General Investigations Committee regarding Rep. Bryan Slaton is appalling. The abhorrent behavior described in the report requires clear and strong action. He should resign. If he does not, we will vote to expel him Tuesday,” it tweeted.

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Slaton has denied the charges. The representative and his attorney, Patrick Short, called the allegations “outrageous” and “false” and said they were peddled by “second-tier media.”

With his allies in the House turning against him, Slaton looked likely to be expelled by the required two-thirds vote. The vote was to be held sometime this week.