AZ Lawmakers Accused Of Sexual Misconduct Since 2017

PHOENIX, AZ — Three Arizona lawmakers are among more than 100 across the country now accused of sexual misconduct in the four years since the onset of the national “#MeToo” reckoning in 2017, according to data collected by The Associated Press.

The state lawmakers are among other politicians, entertainers and business leaders exposed in the social justice movement to end sexual abuse and sexual harassment. The movement began in 2017 when movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, now a convicted sex offender, was accused by more than 80 women of sexual misconduct allegations dating back to the late 1970s.

The movement that inspired the #MeToo hashtag also prompted a flurry of new legislation, training requirements for legislators and investigative guidelines in statehouses across America, including in Arizona.

The AP compiled the database as part of its ongoing coverage of how politicians are responding to sexual misconduct claims. It includes state lawmakers only.

It doesn’t include members of Congress or other elected officials investigated regarding sexual misconduct claims — notably New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is embroiled in a sexual harassment investigation, or Florida Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz, who was initially investigated in connection with sex trafficking and now faces a larger review into public corruption.

Some of the allegations against state lawmakers are no less serious.

Nationally, more than 40 of the accused state lawmakers have resigned or were expelled from office, and at least as many others faced other repercussions, including the loss of committee leadership positions, The AP reported. A handful were cleared.

The lawmakers included in the database are predominantly men, but a couple of women also have been accused of sexual misconduct. Both Democrats and Republicans are the subjects of what could be career-ending investigations.

In Arizona:

Rep. Don Shooter was expelled from office Feb. 1, 2018, by an overwhelming House vote after an investigation substantiated a lengthy pattern of sexual harassment toward women, including fellow lawmaker Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita. Shooter lost a comeback bid in an Aug. 28 Republican state Senate primary. A judge ruled on Dec. 20, 2019, that Shooter could not claim wrongful termination and seek damages for his ouster.

Rep. David Stringer resigned March 27, 2019, two days before the House Ethics Committee released a 1983 Baltimore police report in which Stringer was accused of paying boys to engage in sex acts. Stringer had been removed Jan. 30 from his only House committee assignment pending the committee investigation. The Phoenix New Times reported Jan. 25 that Stringer had been charged and sentenced in 1983 in Maryland for a sex offense, which had since been expunged. Stringer also had faced criticism previously for remarks on race and immigration.

Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita has been accused by a lobbyist of sexual harassment in a deposition filed Jan. 31, 2020, as part of a lawsuit by former Rep. Don Shooter alleging defamation by Ugenti-Rita, who had accused him of sexual harassment. The female lobbyist alleged various incidents of sexual harassment — including being texted unwanted explicit photos — during summer 2016 involving Ugenti-Rita and her now-husband, former gubernatorial adviser Brian Townsend

About three-fourths of the states have passed some 75 laws and resolutions over the past two years that target sexual harassment, abuse or assault in government or in private business. About half the states renewed or extended deadlines to pursue criminal charges or civil lawsuits over childhood sexual abuse.

In Arizona, legislation includes HB 2020, which was signed into law in 2018, allowing people who signed nondisclosures to break the agreements if asked by law enforcement or in a court proceeding. It also prohibits public officials in Arizona from using taxpayer money to settle sexual harassment or misconduct claims subject to nondisclosure agreements.

Arizona also passed HB 2466 in 2019, extending the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits over sexual offenses against minors until the victim is age 30, and opens a window until Dec. 31, 2020, to bring such suits that otherwise would be barred by time limits.

States also updated their sexual harassment policies and required training of lawmakers on appropriate workplace conduct. At least 45 House chambers and 43 Senate chambers now require legislators to receive training on appropriate workplace conduct and on preventing, identifying and reporting sexual misconduct.

About half of state legislative chambers have turned to independent investigators to look into complaints of sexual misconduct and harassment by lawmakers.

Arizona requires some training for state lawmakers, with house and senate training being required, while neither chamber requires internal and external investigations into sexual misconduct and harassment by lawmakers.