OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Latest on an Oklahoma House of Representatives committee investigation accusations of sexually harassment (all times local):
4:15 p.m.
A Republican state lawmaker from Tulsa accused of sexually harassing two former legislative assistants says he’s “very disheartened and disappointed” by the recommendation of a special House committee that he be kicked out of the chamber.
Rep. Dan Kirby said in a statement Thursday he believes the recommendation by the Special Investigative Committee that he be expelled from the House are more severe than necessary.
Kirby says he has not had time to review the report and that he does not plan to immediately respond to the committee’s recommendation.
The report says Kirby took one of his legislative assistants to a strip club and received topless photos of her.
If the House votes to expel, it would be the first time in state history. Expulsion requires a two-thirds majority vote.
2:35 p.m.
A special House committee investigating allegations of sexual harassment has recommended sensitivity training for a second lawmaker and blocking him from interacting with the legislative body’s page program for a year.
The committee released its investigative report Thursday with the recommendations for Rep. Will Fourkiller, D-Stilwell.
He was accused of making inappropriate comments to a high school-age House page in 2015. The committee report says that when the accusation was made, he did not acknowledge or deny making the comments.
Fourkiller declined to appear before the panel, citing its secretive nature.
The committee recommended expelling Tulsa Republican Rep. Dan Kirby from the House. The committee’s report says Kirby took one of his legislative assistants to a strip club and received topless photos of her.
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1:51 p.m.
A special House committee investigating a Tulsa Republican lawmaker accused of sexually harassing two former legislative assistants has recommended he be kicked out of office.
If the House votes to expel, it would be the first time in state history. Expulsion requires a two-thirds majority vote.
The committee’s report says Rep. Dan Kirby took one of his legislative assistants to a strip club and received topless photos of her.
Kirby initially resigned in late December after reports of a publicly funded settlement with another woman surfaced, but later rescinded his resignation. He has denied wrongdoing, although he acknowledged an inappropriate relationship with one of the women.
The committee also determined the House had the authority to spend money to settle the wrongful termination agreement paid to one of the accusers.
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