FRANKFORT (AP) — The FBI says it is investigating sexual harassment and retaliation claims made by employees at Kentucky’s state Capitol, potentially widening a scandal that has already snared the Republican House speaker and three committee chairmen.
FBI spokesman David Habich said the agency is reviewing the information to determine if federal laws were broken.
GOP House Speaker Jeff Hoover resigned his leadership position on Sunday after acknowledging he settled a sexual harassment claim outside of court with a member of his staff. Hoover denied engaging in harassing behavior, but said he did send text messages that were consensual but inappropriate. Hoover said he will remain in the legislature.
House GOP leaders said they were not contacted by any outside law enforcement agencies on Monday. But they have promised to hire an outside law firm to conduct their own investigation. A joint statement from House Speaker Pro Tempore David Osborne and other GOP leaders said they would have an announcement about that Tuesday.