Second Colorado Democrat Lawmaker Accused Of Sexual Harassment

DENVER, CO -- A male former National Guard member and Democrat campaign organizer contacted Colorado House Speaker Crisanta Duran on Tuesday with allegations that State Rep. Paul Rosenthal (D-Denver, Arapaho) groped him at a 2012 campaign event, the Denver Post reported Wednesday.

“I believe the actions of Paul Rosenthal are inappropriate and need to be investigated,” Thomas Cavaness wrote in the complaint to House Speaker Crisanta Duran on Tuesday, the Post reported.

Cavaness, 29, said Rosenthal touched him inappropriately and then tried to kiss him, the Post reported. Both men are openly gay.

Duran was criticized this week for what many see as a slow response to a complaint against Democrat State Rep. Steve Lebsock, who was accused last week of groping and saying inappropriate things to several women lobbyists, aides and Democratic State Rep. Faith Winter. Lebsock later apologized.

Cavaness told the Post Rosenthal "reach[ed] over and grab his inner thigh near his crotch," and later "touched his butt" and tried to kiss him.

“I also want it to be known that there are men who are victims, and this is a systemic problem within the gay community in my opinion,” Cavaness told The Post. “It’s not universal, of course, but it’s certainly more pervasive than it should be.”

The incident allegedly happened at a February 2012 fundraiser for Brian Carroll, a state House candidate, hosted by LGBT groups. Cavaness was a co-host of the fundraiser, and Rosenthal attended the event, the Post said.

Rosenthal denied the accusations. “He’s lying,” Rosenthal told the Post and said they could contact his attorney. But he also said “It’s possible I gave him a hug, but I can’t think of anything sexual because I’m very careful about that sort of thing — to not come across that way to someone particularly who I just met.” Rosenthal asserted to the Post, "“If it was a flirt, it was a good-natured flirt.”

Rosenthal represents Southeast Denver and has been elected to three terms. According to his bio, Rosenthal is a community activist who teaches special education, Economics, Civics, Geography, and U.S. History at a youth correctional facility. Rosenthal served on the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Allied Jewish Federation and is head of the Stonewall Democrats, an LGBT Democratic group.

Read More in the Denver Post HERE.

Watch: Bipartisan Sexual Harassment Bill Introduced

Read More on Patch:

Sexual Harassment Claims Against Colo. Democratic Lawmaker

Colorado Lawmaker Accused of Harassment: I Am Sorry