In a recent weekly press conference, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear responded strongly to sexual harassment allegations against Kentucky Democratic State Rep. Daniel Grossberg, stating that the allegations were “very concerning.”
“I hope Rep. Grossberg is giving serious thought and having discussions with family members about whether a public office is the best or most appropriate place for him to be at this time,” Beshear said in response to a question by the Lexington Herald-Leader.
State Rep. Daniel Grossberg, who assumed office on Jan. 1, 2023, has been the subject of multiple stories in the past month detailing allegations of sexual harassment. The Lexington Herald-Leader was first to publish allegations against the representative. On July 30, the newspaper released a story stating that three women had received inappropriate messages from Grossberg regarding their physical looks which were sent from him late at night.
Just one day after the report by the Herald-Leader, House Democratic caucus members voted to temporarily suspend Rep. Daniel Grossberg from the caucus and requested an investigation by the Legislative Ethics Commission.
“I welcome the investigation because the facts will clear my name,” said Rep. Grossberg in response to the suspension.
A few weeks after the initial allegations, the representative was also pulled from his interim committee assignments in the House of Representatives.
“In light of new information Leadership received from LRC (Legislative Research Commission) officials, it was deemed appropriate to relieve Rep. Grossberg of his committee responsibilities during the interim,” said a statement from House Democrats. “Many committees do not cast votes during the interim, and Rep. Grossberg’s constituents will not be impacted by this decision.”
Despite this assurance, Anna Whites, Grossberg’s attorney, disagreed. “I think we all know a lot of lawmaking happens during… these interim committees and joint committees. It’s the only real opportunity state agencies and businesses and the public have to make legislators aware of issues and concerns and topics for the upcoming session.”
Whites stated that she had never seen either party’s House leaders leave a district of voters unrepresented and called the decision “unprecedented.”
On Aug. 20, three more women reported alleged sexual harassment by Rep. Daniel Grossberg. The Herald-Leader stated that the allegations include “inappropriate, harassing or sexually-tinged text or direct social media messages.”
The article reveals that since the first published story of Rep. Daniel Grossberg’s alleged acts, a dozen women from across the country have alleged harassment or “sexually-charged communications” dating back to 2001.
The three women with new allegations against Grossberg are between the ages of 26 and 28 and have said the representative is unfit for office. According to the Herald-Leader, all of the women involved are part of Kentucky’s political scene in Frankfort.
“No woman should ever feel unsafe or intimidated in any situation, and especially not in a community that should be rooted in respect and equality,” said one of the women. “All women deserve to live and work in Kentucky without the fear of being targeted by people like Mr. Grossberg.”
Grossberg denies any allegation of sexual harassment but gave an apology to anyone who felt uncomfortable due to something he said or wrote.
In addition to Governor Beshear’s latest comments on Grossberg’s allegations, the Louisville Democratic Party (LDP) released a statement on the same day asking Grossberg to refrain from participating in LDP events and meetings while the Legislative Ethics Commission investigation is ongoing.
The Louisville Young Democrats (LYD) released a statement on Sept. 6 expressing support for Governor Beshear’s comments and called on Rep. Grossberg to “take accountability for his actions, resign from office, and do what is best for our members, our party, and our state moving forward.”
On the same day, former campaign staffer for Grossberg, Mary Wurtz, echoed LYD’s call for Grossberg to resign in a statement sent to the Herald-Leader saying it was “time for Rep. Grossberg to step down.”
Under state law, legislative investigations and complaints are confidential and the commission cannot confirm whether or not a complaint was filed according to Emily Dennis, the commission’s acting executive director.
In a statement shared by his attorney, Grossberg said that he “will continue to focus on serving constituents while the Ethics Commission completes its review.”
Photo courtesy of Legislative Research Commission.
