Texas Lawmaker Faces Expulsion After Probe Claims Inappropriate Relationship with Teen Aide

Texas Rep. Bryan Slaton resigned on Monday, two days after an investigation committee determined he violated multiple rules by providing alcohol to and engaging in sexual relations with a 19-year-old staff member.

Slaton, a Republican in his second term representing Royse City, a suburb northeast of Dallas, rapidly earned a reputation as a conservative explosive thrower within the legislature.

Texas House Rep. Bryan Slaton Resigns

He introduced or backed legislation to prohibit transvestite performances and oppose transgender rights. His resignation letter to Gov. Greg Abbott did not address the findings against him.

Slaton wrote that it was an honor to represent his friends, neighbors, and the wonderful people and communities of House District 2. Monday at the Capitol, Slaton did not appear for work and was absent from the House floor, USA Today reported.

His resignation comes one day before the Texas House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a recommendation from the chamber's General Investigating Committee to expel Slaton.

The committee published a 16-page report on Saturday that determined Slaton had sexual relations with the young employee in his Austin residence on March 31 or April 1. According to the report, because Slaton had primary responsibility for the assistant, she "could not provide valid consent."

Per Washington Examiner, Slaton attempted to avoid being expelled by the Texas House by resigning on Monday. He confronted the possibility of being removed from the legislative body for the first time since 1927. The Texas House Freedom Caucus, a conservative organization typically aligned with Slaton, issued a statement demanding his resignation.

"The factual report from the House General Investigations Committee regarding Rep. Bryan Slaton is appalling. The abhorrent behavior described in the report requires clear and strong action. He should resign. If he does not, we will vote to expel him Tuesday," it tweeted.

Slaton Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Last month, Slaton's attorney Patrick Short stated that the claims made by three female employees between 19 and 21 were "outrageous" and "false."

Slaton's attorneys attempted to have the complaints dismissed because his actions transpired at his domicile in Austin and not at work. Citing a state court ruling, the committee stated that its duty in investigating the allegations was to "question whether sufficient facts exist from which to infer a connection between the sexual conduct and the work environment," and it concluded that such a connection existed.

The aide testified that Slaton showed her a "threatening" email from an anonymous sender who claimed to know that he had slept with a staffer. As per NBC News, she reported becoming "extremely fearful" of losing her job.

According to the report, she stated that Slaton told her that "everything would be all right" and that "everyone involved must remain silent."

In addition, the committee discovered that another representative had called Slaton to inquire whether he had intimate relations with a staff member, which Slaton confirmed. The representative said that the next day he told Slaton to resign, at which point Slaton inquired whether the phone call could remain "between us."

The committee stated that Slaton had not expressed regret. The Texas Freedom Caucus, whose members were typically allies of Slaton, called his behavior "abhorrent" over the weekend, as pressure for his resignation began to increase.

Tags

Texas, Sexual misconduct