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No Punishment for Former Kentucky Lawmaker Accused of Sexual Harassment

Jonathan Meador, Kentucky Public Radio

Former state Representative John Arnold will not be punished for charges that he sexually harassed three state employees over four years.

A majority of the Legislative Ethics Commission voted to find Arnold guilty of violating state ethics laws by abusing his position as a public official. But Commissioner Elmer George voted no because he did not believe the commission had the authority to punish Arnold because Arnold is no longer a member of the General Assembly.

Elmer's vote meant each of Arnold's counts failed with a 4-1 vote. State law requires the commission to have five votes before it can fine or sanction someone.

Three state workers told the ethics panel that Arnold touched them inappropriately and made them afraid to come to work.