Expelled! Colorado House Ousts Lawmaker For Sex Harassment

DENVER, CO -- Described as "emotional and look[ing] tired and skinny in his baggy suit," Rep. Steve Lebsock, a Democrat from Thornton ended his career as a state legislator after being expelled Friday by his fellow lawmakers in a 52-9 vote, more than the two-thirds needed, Joey Bunch of the Colorado Politics website reported.

A vacancy committee of Democrats from his district will choose a replacement for Lebsock for the final months of the session.

The hearing lasted more than seven hours and not a single person testified on Lebsock's behalf, Colorado Politics reported.

Lebsock complained about the investigation, remarked about his honorable discharge from the U.S. Marines and finally asked his colleagues to "Vote what you think is right.”

Lebsock's removal is the first time a member of the state legislature has been expelled since 1915 when Rep. William Howland was ousted for lying about bribery.

Lebsock was accused Nov. 10 by nine legislators, staffers and lobbyists of sexually inappropriate behavior in a report by Bente Kirkland of KUNC. Three of those women came forward publicly, including Lebsock's colleague State Rep. Faith Winters . Winters, a lobbyist and a legislative aide filed official complaints with the (others did not speak openly for fear of retaliation.)

State Rep. Faith Winters (D-Westminster) alleged Lebsock drunkenly tried to get her to go home with him, in 2016 front of another male colleague. Legislative aide Cassie Tanner alleged Lebsock unbuttoned her blouse at a fundraiser and made lewd comments about her breasts and dress. Former lobbyist Holly Tarry said Lebsock made unwanted sexual advances more than once between 2013 to 2016.

The women filed complaints with House Majority Leader KC Becker and Speaker Christanta Duran.

In November, House Speaker Chrisanta Duran called for Lebsock's resignation and removed him from some working committees. Lebsock apologized, and said he took a lie-detector test. He also released a YouTube video claiming he was the victim of a "coordinated smear campaign issued a 28-page letter to his fellow legislators accusing his accusers of conspiring against him, which the women characterized as "retaliation."

House Majority Leader KC Becker released a letter saying 11 allegations by five women were "found to be credible by the external investigator."

Read the Colorado Politics Coverage here.

More Patch Coverage:

Colo. House Dems Move To Expel Lebsock On 'Credible' Complaints

Who's Accused? Colorado Lawmaker Sex Harassment Roundup (Updated)

Sen. Jack Tate Intern Accuser's Complaint Found Credible: Report

Colo. Sen Baumgardner Steps Down From Committee, Won't Resign

'He Unbuttoned My Shirt': New Complaint Against Lawmaker Lebsock

Second Colorado Democrat Lawmaker Accused Of Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment Claims Against Colo. Democratic Lawmaker

Image via Colo State Legislature YouTube Channel