Tennessee lawmaker exiled over 'continuing risk' to women

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Tennessee lawmaker exiled over 'continuing risk' to women

Erik Schelzig, Associated Press

Updated 4:50 pm, Thursday, April 7, 2016



NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee lawmaker is effectively being quarantined from lawmakers, lobbyists and interns after the state's attorney general determined that he could pose a risk to "unsuspecting women" at the state Capitol complex.

House Speaker Beth Harwell announced Thursday that she is moving Rep. Jeremy Durham's office to the ground floor of a building across the street and that his access to committee rooms and the House chamber will be limited to when meetings are taking place. The move comes amid a state attorney general's investigation into the Franklin Republican's "pattern of conduct" toward women.

Interviews with 34 current and former lawmakers, lobbyists, staffers and interns included allegations that Durham made sexual comments and inappropriate physical contact with women working at Legislative Plaza, according to Attorney General Herbert Slatery's memorandum to Harwell.

. . .

"Representative Durham's alleged behavior may pose a continuing risk to unsuspecting women who are employed by or interact with the Legislature," Slatery said in the memo.


Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Tennessee-lawmaker-exiled-over-continuing-risk-7234874.php

[GeorgeGist]

1. Bwahahaha ...

that combover won't work much longer, son.

[DebbieCDC]

2. Seriously? Why the hell then isn't this guy being prosecuted and

stripped of his seat? Instead he gets sent to the timeout corner?

That's a pretty damn inadequate response.

[christx30]

4. Heck yeah.

Anyone else would be looking at sexual assault charges. But since he's a lawmaker, he's treated like a Catholic priest, being sent to another parish.
I mean... there must be something seriously wrong with this person's brain, that requires him to be sanctioned like this. Most adults are able to say "Oh I did bad? I'm sorry. I'll modify my behavior to societal norms." But this guy is acting like my 9 year old autistic son. He sneaks out of his room at 3am and eats dry ramen packets. We have to put up a gate and lock up the food, because he's an unhealthy weight. But he's ***9***, and special needs. Not a State Rep.

[Major Nikon]

6. He had an affair with another Rep who resigned as a result

http://www.nashvillescene.com/pitw/archives/2016/01/28/ramsey-everybody-knows-durham-had-affair-with-state-legislator-who-resigned

[ReRe]

10. Hey... it's Tenneessee

... what do you expect in Deliveranceville?

[smirkymonkey]

12. Exactly, If he was working in the corporate world he would be out on his flabby

little ass! God, he just looks like such a creep!

[1StrongBlackMan]

3. Let me guess ... Another "Family Values" republican?

[AxionExcel]

5. The Republican War on Women: Episode #8,456,793,231,887,459,407,221,835,000

[marble falls]

7. What a poor excuse for a human being.

[csziggy]

8. Still this predator is allowed to vote on legislation that will affect women?

Oh, HELL NO!

[ToxMarz]

9. He just looks like someone you wouldn't want to be alone and vulnerable with. Ick.

[muriel_volestrangler]

11. Durham denied affairs with both Rep. Leigh Wilburn and Rep. Mike Harrison

Harwell said she asked Attorney General Herbert Slatery to investigate allegations Durham harassed women workers with late-night texts asking for photos. The purpose is to find evidence for House Republican leaders who want to expel Durham from the General Assembly.
...
In a news release announcing her resignation last year, Wilburn, a freshman lawmaker, said she was leaving "due to unforeseen circumstances involving my immediate and extended family and my business."

Durham's legislative office issued a statement vehemently denying any affair with Wilburn. For unclear reasons, it also denied an affair with former Rep. Mike Harrison, R-Rogersville, who resigned last year to take a job as a lobbyist for county mayors.
...
"Nevertheless, he categorically denies having any physical relationship with former representatives Harrison or Wilburn," according to the statement.

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2016/jan/28/lt-gov-ramsey-accuses-rep-durham-affair-fellow-lawmaker/347117/

A very busy man? Or just throwing up a smokescreen?