Tom Loftus and Thomas Novelly

The (Louisville) Courier Journal

LOUISVILLE — State Rep. Jeff Hoover said in a tearful statement Sunday that he would resign as the Speaker of the House.

"The decision today is what is best for Kentucky at this time ... I am resigning at this time as Speaker of the House," Hoover said.

Kentucky House Speaker Pro Tem David Osborne, a Prospect Republican, released a statement Sunday saying he will take over as acting speaker and said the House will follow “constitutional and legal protocols regarding House leadership in the future.”

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Hoover will not be resigning his House seat. He did not take questions at the conference but stated that he denied all the allegations during the reported sexual harassment settlement.

"To say that the past few weeks and days have been trying and difficult for me and my family would be an understatement," Hoover said in a statement. "I ask for your forgiveness."

Hoover's troubles began Wednesday when Courier Journal broke the news that he had reached a confidential settlement with a woman on his staff who accused him of sexual harassment. The woman, whom Courier Journal is not identifying because she says she was sexually harassed, has declined to comment. A lawyer for the woman also has declined to comment.

In the wake of the allegations, Gov. Matt Bevin and other Republican leaders called on anyone involved in the settlement to resign.

"These alleged actions, which haven’t been denied, are reprehensible, indefensible and unacceptable," Bevin said at a press conference Saturday. "Any elected official or state employee who has settled a sexual harassment claim should resign immediately. The people of Kentucky deserve better."

Hours afterward, eight influential Republican House members released an extraordinary statement demanding immediate resignations of any House member who is involved in the settlement.

The demand also came as Courier Journal reported three other Republican lawmakers and a staff member were involved in the settlement of the sexual harassment claims.

In recent weeks, major figures in film, media and politics have been accused of wrongful behavior, and some have lost their positions, including Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, film director James Toback, journalist and author Mark Halperin and NPR executive Michael Oreskes. Even 93-year-old former president George H.W. Bush has been accused of groping women and apologized for his behavior.

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