Democratic Chairman Wants House Speaker To Leave Sexual Harassment Committee

A woman has accused Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma of intimidation.

Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Indiana Democrats are calling on Republican House Speaker Brain Bosma to recuse himself from a group which is crafting a sexual harassment policy for state lawmakers.

The Indianapolis Star published a story October 10 in which a former intern accused Bosma (R-Indianapolis) of intimidating her to not release details of an alleged sexual relationship they had in 1992.

On Monday, Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody called on Bosma to remove himself from the sexual harassment policy committee, or else its work could be delegitimized.

“For the sake of the process and getting this right, the Speaker should step aside," said Zody. 

Zody questioned whether Bosma made suggestions or offered advice knowing the policy may one day be applied to his situation.

The bipartisan panel is due to send recommendations to the General Assembly by November 20th.

Governor Eric Holcomb has been silent on the scandal involving Bosma, another of the most powerful Republicans in the state. He won’t comment without first viewing a report on the allegations, which would likely have to come from the House Ethics Committee.

On the other hand, Holcomb asked for Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, a Republican, to resign after he was accused by Democratic lawmakers and staffers of groping them at a bar gathering last March. Hill has refused to resign and denies the allegations.

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