COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State Rep. Wes Goodman resigned this week after being given evidence he had “inappropriate conduct” with another man in his office, according to local media.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that Goodman was known for his “his faith and conservative values.”
From the Dispatch:
House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, R-Clarksville, met Tuesday afternoon with the Cardington Republican soon after the speaker became aware of an incident from weeks ago in the lawmaker’s office that, sources said, involved a male in a consensual situation.
No harassment complaint, sexual or otherwise, was filed against Goodman. But someone, reportedly not a staffer, who knew of or witnessed the incident informed House Chief of Staff Mike Dittoe of the situation early Tuesday afternoon.
“I was alerted to details yesterday afternoon regarding his involvement in inappropriate behavior related to his state office,” Rosenberger said in a statement on Wednesday. “I met with him later in the day where he acknowledged and confirmed the allegations. It became clear that his resignation was the most appropriate course of action for him, his family, the constituents of the 87th House District and this institution.”
Rosenberger told cleveland.com there had been an inappropriate interaction in Goodman’s Riffe Center office between the married lawmaker and a person not employed by the legislature. Rosenberger wouldn’t provide any more details.
Goodman is the second state lawmaker to resign in as many months over actions considered inappropriate. State Sen. Cliff Hite, another Republican, resigned after a state employee alleged he propositioned her for sex several times.
