Ohio state Representative Wes Goodman announced his resignation from the Ohio House of Representatives over allegations of 'inappropriate behavior.'
House Speaker Clifford Rosenberger released the following statement.
“It is with deep regret that I have asked State Representative Wes Goodman to offer his resignation as a member of the Ohio House. I was alerted to details yesterday afternoon regarding his involvement in inappropriate behavior related to his state office. 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.”
After the announcement, Goodman released the following statement.
“Serving as the state representative for the 87th Ohio House District has been one of the great honors of my life. We all bring our own struggles and our own trials into public life. That has been true for me, and I sincerely regret that my actions and choices have kept me from serving my constituents and our state in a way that reflects the best ideals of public service. For those whom I have let down, I’m sorry. As I move onto the next chapter of my life, I sincerely ask for privacy for myself, my family, and my friends.”
Goodman was serving his first term representing the 87th district which covers all of Crawford, Morrow, and Wyandot counties, and portions of Marion and Seneca counties. He is a life-long resident of Central Ohio, graduating from Cardington-Lincoln High School, and Ohio Weslyan University.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, Goodman resigned after he was found to have inappropriate conduct with another man at his office in the Riffe Center.
Brad Miller, a spokesman for Speaker Rosenberger, told 10TV what happened was a consensual act and it was not an issue of harassment.
Speaker Rosenberger announced that a screening panel will be formed in the near future to select a new member for the vacant 87th House District seat.
Goodman is the second Ohio state lawmaker to resign this week.
Senate Democrats' chief of staff, Michael Premo, resigned Monday over allegations of inappropriate conduct.
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READ: Goodman's letter of resignation:
Dear Speaker Rosenberger,
Please accept this letter as my resignation as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives effective at 11:59 p.m., today, November 14, 2017.
It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve the constituents of the 87th House District.
