A legislative committee in Texas has recommended a state Republican representative known for claiming drag queens "groom" children be expelled for engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior with a teenage intern.
According to The Associated Press, the House General Investigative Committee unanimously recommended Republican Texas state Representative Bryan Slaton be expelled following revelations of his sexual contact with a 19-year-old intern.
Slaton and his attorney have yet to comment on the matter, although his attorneys previously dismissed the allegations as "outrageous" and "false." An investigation into the lawmaker's conduct was initiated after three young aides and interns, aged between 19 and 21, filed complaints against him last month.
The investigation into Slaton's misconduct found he gave alcohol to a teenage intern and another young staff member before having sex with the intern while she was intoxicated. The intern experienced "dizziness" and "double vision" according to the committee's report.
The committee report stated "Slaton's misconduct is grave and serious," adding he abused his position of power, broke employment laws, gave alcohol to a minor and engaged in sexual harassment.
The report also said Slaton showed the young intern a threatening email and instructed her to keep their involvement a secret. Slaton also asked a fellow lawmaker to keep his behavior under wraps.
The report continued:
"The fact that Slaton has not expressed regret or remorse for his conduct is also egregious and unwarranted. It is the Committee's unanimous recommendation that, considering the factors stated above, the only appropriate discipline in this matter is expulsion."
You can watch the video of Slaton's expulsion below.
Facing widespread condemnation, Slaton opted to resign on Monday.
Many condemned Slaton's actions and called out his blatant hypocrisy.
Slaton's biography in the Texas House describes him as having attended seminary school and serving as a youth minister for over ten years.
He is married and has a young child.
Slaton has been part of a group of Republicans advocating for bans on access to gender-affirming healthcare and drag queen story hours for children. In an interview last year, he stated "children don't need to be focused on sex and sexualization" and people "need to let them just grow up to be children and let them do that as they're getting closer to being an adult."
Slaton's remarks echoed the talking points from the right-wing, who have pushed hundreds of bills to ban drag queens from performing and restrict gender-affirming care for transgender people.
