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Ellis Resigns Amid Sexual Assault Investigation

State Rep. Brian Ellis (R-Butler) resigned from office yesterday afternoon in the midst of a sexual assault investigation.

Ellis penned a letter to House GOP leadership stating it was in the best interest of his family, residents of the district and his health that he resign from office.

“It is with immense gratitude to the sacrifices made by my family, the support of my constituents, and the friendship of my colleagues that I have concluded that it is in my best interests of my family, the residents of the 11th House district, and my own health that I resign from the General Assembly,” he wrote.

In January, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Ellis was under criminal investigation into allegations that he had sex with a woman while she was “incapacitated and without her consent, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the inquiry.” The alleged assault had taken place in late 2015 in his Harrisburg residence and the Dauphin County District Attorney’s office is conducting a criminal investigation.

A few days after the allegation was made public, Gov. Tom Wolf and GOP leadership called on Ellis to resign.

Jennifer Storm, victim advocate of Pennsylvania, described the resignation as a “new day in Harrisburg.”

“This is a new day in Harrisburg, one where we hope all survivors feel they can come forward, be believed and be treated with dignity and respect,” Storm said in a statement. “We appreciate how respectful the staff and members of the House have been during this most difficult time for the survivor. We are also grateful for the calls for resignation that came from leaders across the Commonwealth, from the Governor to House GOP leadership. It is clear that the days of sexual misconduct and coverups in our Capitol are slowly coming to an end.”

Ellis represented the 11th district from 2005 until yesterday.

This story was updated with a comment from Jennifer Storm.

5 Responses

  1. I know Ellis personally and am not surprised at all at the allegations. He might be the biggest scumbag ever elected to the state house.

  2. Let’s get something cleared up: you can’t “have sex with “an incapacitated woman without consent.” There’s a word for that. It is rape. Use the word.

    1. Jennifer Storm

      @JenniferRStorm
      Mar 18
      More
      Let’s be real clear here. You cannot have “sex” with someone who is blacked out, incapacitated, intoxicated or otherwise passed out, sleeping, unaware-all of that is RAPE.

      Say it with me now, RAPE.

      It’s not that hard to call it what it is. #BrianEllis #timesup #metoo #rape

  3. I think for there will be a blue wave will flip this district in a special election sometime in 2019.

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