Louisville congressman expelled from committees for alleged inappropriate behavior
State Rep. Daniel Grossberg is accused of inappropriate conduct and has been removed from his committee assignments.
In light of allegations of inappropriate conduct against state Rep. Daniel Grossberg, the Louisville Democratic Party Executive Board has asked him to stay away from events until the investigation in Frankfort is completed.
In a statement Thursday morning, the party said it was “unwavering in its commitment to creating a safe and respectful environment for all” and believes that “every individual deserves a harassment-free environment, and we are determined in our efforts to ensure that this standard is met.”
“While we understand that the allegations against Rep. Grossberg are only allegations at this time, we ask that he temporarily refrain from attending LDP events and meetings while the Legislative Ethics Commission’s investigation is ongoing,” the statement said.
Logan Gatti, chairman of the Louisville Democratic Party, declined to comment further on Thursday, calling the statement “sufficient.”
Grossberg, a Louisville Democrat who represents the 30th House District, is finishing his first term in Frankfort and is running unopposed in the November general election after winning a primary in May. He is one of 20 Democrats in the 100-member Kentucky House of Representatives.
While the LRC, the General Assembly’s administrative and research arm, has not publicly confirmed an investigation and is not subject to public records requests, the Lexington Herald-Leader has spoken to unidentified women who have accused Grossberg of sending inappropriate text messages and, in one case, drinking in his office and asking a woman who accompanied him questions about her sex life. He was previously suspended by the House Democratic caucus and removed from his interim committees by party leaders.
Grossberg’s attorney, Anna Whites, has denied the allegations and said Grossberg has no plans to resign. In an open letter two weeks ago, she said the text messages she reviewed “did not constitute sexual harassment” and said Grossberg had not otherwise crossed any ethical lines.
Reached Thursday morning, Whites said Grossberg has not attended Democratic Party events in Louisville since the allegations became known in late July, and issued a statement from the congressman saying he appreciated the organization’s “concern for all parties in this matter.”
“I will remain focused on serving my constituents while the Ethics Committee completes its review,” the statement said.
Grossberg has been called on to resign by numerous party members and organizations, including the Kentucky Young Democrats. “Several members” of this political group have also experienced “inappropriate behavior” from Grossberg, it said in a statement earlier this month.
This story may be updated.
Reach Lucas Aulbach at [email protected].
