Rep. Lukens Resigns Amid Sex Allegations
Rep. Donald E. Lukens (R-Ohio) resigned from Congress today to avoid facing a second sexual misconduct allegation.
“Effective immediately, for the good of the Congress and the integrity of the institution, I resign my seat in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Lukens said in a letter to Ohio Gov. Richard Celeste that was read on the floor of the House.
Lukens resigned two days after being accused of making sexual advances to a House elevator operator who said he fondled her. He was convicted last year on a misdemeanor charge of having sex with a 16-year-old girl.
The second allegation prompted House Republicans to urge Lukens to resign rather than trigger a politically embarrassing ethics committee investigation two weeks before the national elections, according to GOP sources.
By resigning, Lukens halted the ethics investigation, thwarting any formal House disciplinary action, and preserved his pension and other retirement benefits.
Under Ohio law, Celeste could order a special election to take Lukens’ seat until the next Congress begins in January. The governor’s office said Celeste’s legal advisers were studying the matter but were not certain that a special election could or should be called.
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