After a week of complaints and infighting, Rep. Steve Lebsock was expelled from office over recent Sexual Harassment charges. The Colorado House of Representatives outed the lawmaker in vote never before seen in over a century. As victims of the harassment watched in content, lawmakers took a vote that reassured five women.
History is made
In a vote of 52-9, lawmaker Steve Lebsock became the second official in the country to "lose his seat over sexual harassment charges," ever since the "rise of the #MeToo movement," the Denver Post reported.
The case began in November 2017 when state representatives Faith Winter and D-Westminster became the first women to file complaints of sexual harassment against Lebsock.
The case has been going on ever since, and more women have come out making the same allegations against the Colorado legislator.
On Friday morning, March 2, the expulsion vote brought the case to an abrupt conclusion after one of the five victims, Winter, made opening remarks that brought a somber mood to the chamber. In her remarks, Winter made it clear that voting to keep Lebsock in office goes to show that their "voices don’t matter." Lawmakers sent a different message.
In what was supposed to be determined by a 44-vote threshold, 36 Democrats and 16 Republicans quickly voted for the expulsion of Steve Lebsock. Nine Republicans who voted against the removal expressed their concerns about the process used to determine Lebsock's guilt and punishment.
Three of the GOP members were absent during the vote. The Republicans had earlier tried to delay the expulsion vote in an attempt to convene an ethics panel. On Thursday, some Republicans complained that they were yet to read and understand the redacted investigative documents.
Lebsock makes his leave
Ultimately, Lebsock’s fate was sealed, though not by the outside investigation that may have implicated him but because legislators believed his reaction to the women coming forward was uncalled for.
In January, Lebsock sent results of his polygraph test to all lawmakers in an attempt to prove his innocence. In the documents he also detailed information about the women's sexual histories and accusations levied against them. The Assistant Minority Leader deemed Lebsock's reaction as an improper way to fight back.
The chamber was reduced to tears as their colleagues shared their horrific stories of harassment, abuse, and rape.
Rep. Matt Gray and Alec Garnet who were among the first champions of Winter claimed to have worn bulletproof vests to the Capitol in fear for their lives. In his closing remarks, Lebsock urged lawmakers always to strive to do the right thing after which he left the building.
