Did Ex-Congressman Bob McEwen cover up GOP candidate's sexual misconduct?

COLUMBUS - Former Congressman Bob McEwen assured the stepfather of a teenager that "strong action" would be taken against the GOP candidate accused of molesting the teen, according to emails obtained by the Washington Post.

But that never happened.

McEwen, executive director of the conservative Council for National Policy, was included in an email chain that detailed allegations against Wes Goodman, then a candidate for the Ohio House. Goodman was accused of fondling an 18-year-old boy at a 2015 event hosted by McEwen's organization.

According to the emails, McEwen promised the teenager's stepfather on Oct. 22, 2015, “strong action is about to take place.” The Enquirer reached out to McEwen for comment. He did not respond to the Washington Post for its report.

But the allegations against Goodman didn't come to light. He was not removed as a candidate. In fact, Goodman went on to win the seat, campaigning as a Christian conservative who supported "natural marriage," opposed abortion and wanted to end Medicaid expansion.

Last week, Goodman resigned from the Ohio House after he engaged in "inappropriate behavior" in his office with a man. GOP leaders and House officials said they never knew about Goodman's prior behavior at the Council for National Policy.

"There was an allegation of sexual assault against one of our state representatives. (McEwen) knew about it and apparently chose to do nothing," said Matt Borges, who was chairman of the Ohio Republican Party at the time of the incident. "That's an unacceptable failure."

Current Ohio Republican Party leader Jane Timken called on McEwen to resign from his post on the state party's governing body if he knew about the allegations.

"I think every person has an obligation to say and do something about sexual misconduct or harassment of any kind when they see it. If Bob McEwen knew about this and did not say or do anything, he should resign,” Timken said in a statement.

McEwen represented southern Ohio's Sixth District from 1981 to 1993. He lost the seat to Ted Strickland. McEwen campaigned for a different district but lost to Rob Portman, then a relatively unknown trade attorney. McEwen now speaks about "pro-family interests" and "free-market economics."