Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Lawmaker Resigns Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

The woman’s lawyer, Christine Wechsler, said her client believes she was drugged while having a drink with a friend and has no memory of the ensuing 12 hours.

What to Know

  • Republican state Rep. Brian Ellis resigned amid allegations that he had sex with an incapacitated woman against her will.
  • The alleged incident occurred three years ago. The woman's lawyer said her client was drugged.
  • Ellis' lawyers have called the allegations "just plain false."

A Pennsylvania lawmaker has resigned amid allegations that he had sex with an incapacitated woman against her will.

Republican state Rep. Brian Ellis, R-Butler County, has not been charged with any crime. He resigned Monday in a letter to the House speaker, saying it was in the best interests of his family, district residents and his own health to resign effective immediately.

The woman’s lawyer, Christine Wechsler, said her client believes she was drugged while having a drink with a friend and has no memory of the ensuing 12 hours. She went to a hospital the next day.

“She reported to doctors that she had no memory of the previous evening and she believed she was sexually assaulted,” Wechsler said in January.

The woman filed a formal complaint against Ellis with House Republicans last week.

Ellis' resignation comes nearly two months after the Pennsylvania state House Republicans stripped him of his committee chairmanship and recommended he step down “to take care of his family and address the allegations.”

Wechsler said the woman is a state employee who has never worked for Ellis.

The state’s victim advocate, Jennifer Storm, who has been working with the unidentified woman, called her brave and courageous.

Ellis' lawyers have called the allegations "just plain false."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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