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Second Kentucky House Member Accused of Sexual Harassment

Legislative Research Commission

A second lawmaker from western Kentucky is being accused of sexual harassment.  Louisville attorney Thomas Clay is representing Nicole Cusic, who claims she was retaliated against when she complained about the behavior of State Representative Will Coursey. 

“For instance, I believe he was asking one of the interns to go to the Governor’s Ball with him, and there were some other things that involved explicit language, which she thought was inappropriate.”

Cusic, who was Coursey’s secretary, claims she was transferred out of his office when she confronted him. Coursey, a Democrat from Symsonia, is represented by Paducah attorney Mark Edwards.

“Mr. Coursey’s position is that he’s never had an inappropriate relationship with anybody, and the lady who’s making the complaint did work for him, but the reason she was transferred was that she had a poor work history.”

Clay is also representing Yolanda Costner and Cassaundra Cooper,  who have  filed complaints against the Legislative Research Commission, alleging that former state Rep. John Arnold touched them inappropriately and made lewd comments.

Although he resigned his House seat, Arnold denied the accusations.

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.