Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday issued his strongest message yet urging State Rep. Daniel Grossberg, D-Louisville, to resign from office immediately amid new allegations of sexual harassment against women.
Friday’s Lexington Herald-Leader reported that Grossberg allegedly offered a dancer at a Louisville strip club $5,000 to have sex with him about two weeks before he was banned for life for inappropriately touching another club dancer.
The newspaper quotes Milford Renfrew, co-owner of Roxy’s, as saying, “There’s guys that drink a little too much and try to push their luck,” he said. “To those guys, you say, ‘You’ve had a little bit too much to drink, but you can try it again tomorrow.’ Then there’s other guys where you have to say, ‘You’ve gotta get out and don’t ever come back.’”
During a hastily called press conference on Friday, Beshear stated he wanted to be clear, “Nobody should face harassment, in their place of work, in the Capitol, anywhere across the Commonwealth. And when it appears a state representative is engaging in that behavior and that type of conduct, we just need to speak in one clear voice that it’s unacceptable.”
Beshear said he has spoken with some of the women who have accused him of inappropriate conduct but would not give any details.
The governor said if Grossberg doesn’t resign, impeachment would be the only option. But when Kentucky Today asked whether he would call a special session for impeachment if asked to do so by Senate President Robert Stivers and House Speaker David Osborne, Beshear replied, “I have not thought through that piece. That would be a discussion we would have with them. I am hoping that today the message is loud enough and clear enough that Rep. Grossberg take the right action.”
According to the state constitution, the House or Senate may remove a lawmaker with a two-thirds vote of the chamber.
Beshear was joined in calling for Grossberg’s resignation by Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman.
Calls for Grossberg’s resignation continue to mount.
House Democratic Caucus Leaders Derrick Graham, Cherlynn Stevenson, and Rachel Roberts issued the following statement:
“In addition to calling for state Representative Daniel Grossberg’s resignation today, the Kentucky House Democratic Caucus also voted to expel him permanently as a caucus member. He has since been notified of that change, which previously had been a suspension.”
Tamarra Wieder, Kentucky State Director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, said, “We join the many voices demanding the immediate resignation of Representative Daniel Grossberg. The allegations of his repeated egregious sexual harassment are deeply troubling, pervasive, and credible. His abuse of power must end now; every day he remains in office is a day too long. We thank and support the brave Kentuckians who have come forward and shared their stories.”
Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Elridge released a statement calling Grossberg “unfit to serve” in office. Other elected officials followed suit, including U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Louisville, State Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong of Louisville, Rep. Chad Aull of Lexington, Chair of Louisville Democratic Party Logan Gatti, the executive board of Kentucky Young Democrats, and the Louisville and Fayette County Young Democrats.
Grossberg, serving his first term in the legislature, issued a statement Friday saying he was seeking treatment “to reduce my impulsive behavior going forward — and I will keep my head down and continue working to serve my constituents.” His lawyer says he plans to continue in office and denies the allegations in the latest newspaper report.
Kentucky Today and NKyTribune staff report