Staff report
The sexual harassment scandal in Frankfort advanced in several ways on Friday and included the news that former House Speaker Jeff Hoover was admitted to the hospital with an apparent heart attack.
His family released a statement asking for privacy.
Hoover resigned the as House Speaker this week, though he kept his seat in the legislature, following the revelation that he and three other legislators signed a settlement agreement with a former staffer involving sexual harassment.
Jeff Hoover
House Democratic leader Rocky Adkins issued a statement saying, “We may disagree from time to time, but on matters like this, I think of Jeff and my fellow legislators as family. The other members of the House Democratic caucus and I wish him a speedy recovery and are praying for his good health. We look forward to seeing him again soon in the Capitol.”
Meanwhile, Republican leadership also issued a statement regarding the independent investigation they launch into the allegations and reports of inappropriate conduct “swirling in the state capitol.”
The statement from Kentucky House Speaker Pro Tempore David Osborne, House Majority Leader Jonathan Shell, Majority Whip Kevin Bratcher, and Majority Caucus Chairman David Meade said:
The law firm of Middleton Reutlinger has begun its work. They are simultaneously advising us on personnel and human resources matters while handling the preliminary phase of the independent investigation. Our outside counsel has advised us that they should be able to provide a preliminary investigatory report in about ten days. At that point, we will review the findings and make further decisions about how to proceed.
David Osborne
We may — as some have suggested — decide to turn the matter over to the Legislative Ethics Commission, as they have unfettered subpoena power. We may also decide that our outside firm can complete the independent review. We won’t know the right path forward until we see the preliminary report, but we are keeping all of our options open.
Ultimately, we want the deepest, most independent investigation possible. We intend to make decisions about our caucus and staff when the full facts emerge. None of us condone sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior, and we want the facts about anything and everything that happened.
Speaker Pro Tempore Osborne and Majority Leadership met with House Democratic Leader Rocky Adkins about this situation and appreciated the constructive conversation. At this point, the independent investigation is underway and should not be interrupted by politics or personal emotions. The facts should be allowed to emerge and guide future decisions. We will report back to the media and public on the status of the investigation when Middleton Reutlinger has delivered its preliminary review. If anything changes with the status of the investigation, we will alert the House and public immediately.
Rocky Adkins
We have taken some internal caucus actions because of this situation. The Leadership Team has appointed Representative Jerry Miller of Louisville as Co-Chairman of the Public Pension Oversight Board. Vice-Chairs of two other affected committees have been elevated to Chairman. Additionally, Representative Myron Dossett of Pembroke has been elevated to a subcommittee chairman.
As this investigation unfolds, we are simultaneously keeping the House on track by working in good faith with the Senate and the Governor on the pension issue. Additionally, meetings of the Adoption and Infrastructure working groups continued this week, two critical policy matters. Budget Review Subcommittees also continued their work this week in preparation for the upcoming budget session. The entire Leadership Team is committed to an orderly budget process, as the Commonwealth faces extremely difficult fiscal circumstances.
The Leadership Team is grateful for all members of the Republican Caucus and the entire House of Representatives for continuing to represent their constituents and doing the work of the people as the independent investigation unfolds. We also appreciate the ongoing dialogue with Governor Matt Bevin as we tackle the difficult issues of the Commonwealth. Our message to the people of Kentucky continues to be that we will not fail you in finding the facts or in solving the severe financial problems facing our state.
Democratic leader Adkins responded with this statement:
“As I have said before, I do not believe the House Republican caucus can investigate itself. This matter needs to be overseen by an outside group, such as the Legislative Research Commission or the Legislative Ethics Commission, and that remains the goal of the House Democratic caucus. Anything less would erode the public’s trust.”
