Rep. Yeulin Willet (R-Grand Junction) tried and failed to convince his colleagues in the Colorado House of Representatives to create a committee with subpoena power to investigate the sexual harassment claims against Rep. Steve Lebsock (D-Thornton).
“If we are going to be judicial, let us be judicious,” Willet said.
Democratic Speaker Crisanta Duran ruled his motion out of order.
A motion to overrule her decision failed 35 to 26 with Lebsock abstaining, meaning the existing rules will stay in place.
Rep. Faith Winter, one of Lebsock‘ accusers was disturbed by the attempt to change rules.
“They’re trying to put the accusers on trial,” she said.
The House is expected to vote Friday on whether to kick Lebsock out of the legislature.
Five women have accused the Thornton Democrat of making inappropriate comments and touching them in ways that made them uncomfortable.
House Majority Leader KC Becker (D-Boulder) said she understood Willet’s concerns, but she wanted to continue with the current process.
She pointed out the investigation by third-party company started more than three months ago.
“We’re just asking for a better conclusion to this difficult situation,” Willet said.
The entire House now heads to a joint hearing where they will have the opportunity to question that investigator and other people involved in the claims who want to testify.
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