FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – One day after the Kentucky House speaker temporarily ceded power in the aftermath of a secret sexual harassment settlement, he and his colleagues are headed off to mandatory training aimed at curbing the problem.
Jeff Hoover had announced he would resign as speaker two months ago, shortly after acknowledging he secretly settled a sexual harassment claim outside of court with a woman who worked for the House Republican Caucus.
But Tuesday, when the legislature convened, Hoover did not resign. Instead, he authorized House Speaker Pro Temp David Osborne to preside over the chamber “until further notice.” That opens the door for Hoover to return as speaker once the Legislative Ethics Commission finishes looking into the settlement and whether Hoover and others used money from political donors and lobbyists to pay it.
Meanwhile, Hoover and others must attend mandatory anti-harassment training on Wednesday. It’s part of reforms put in place several years ago after some state workers sued a former Democratic state representative for sexual harassment. Hoover declined to speak with reporters at the training, saying he will rely on a written statement he issued Tuesday.
Hoover’s latest action comes after weeks of feuding with Republican Gov. Matt Bevin, who has publicly urged Hoover to give up not just his position as speaker, but his seat in the legislature. Bevin told a WKYX radio on Tuesday he still expects Hoover to resign this week.
“Well he’s very misinformed, but beyond that I’m not going to say anything,” Hoover said.