State Rep. Wes Goodman, who consistently touted his faith and conservative values, abruptly resigned late Tuesday after being confronted with evidence of inappropriate conduct with another man inside his Riffe Center office, the second Ohio lawmaker to fall within a month.

House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, R-Clarksville, met Tuesday afternoon with the Cardington Republican soon after the speaker became aware of an incident from weeks ago in the lawmaker's office that, sources said, involved a male in a consensual situation.

No harassment complaint, sexual or otherwise, was filed against Goodman. But someone, reportedly not a staffer, who knew of or witnessed the incident informed House Chief of Staff Mike Dittoe of the situation early Tuesday afternoon.

“I was alerted to details yesterday afternoon regarding his involvement in inappropriate behavior related to his state office," Rosenberger said in a statement on Wednesday. "I met with him later in the day where he acknowledged and confirmed the allegations. It became clear that his resignation was the most appropriate course of action for him, his family, the constituents of the 87th House District and this institution.”

The speaker’s office is not releasing additional details of the conduct, though Brad Miller, spokesman for Rosenberger, said it did not involve Statehouse staffers or other legislative members. Rumors about Goodman's questionable conduct, including his use of social media, have been swirling at the Statehouse in the past few weeks and include stories dating back years to when he worked in Washington. His Facebook account was taken offline.

Rosenberger and Goodman agreed, Miller said, "that it was activity unbecoming of a state representative."

Miller said there is no video of the incident, as some have speculated.

Ohio Republican Chairman Jane Timken supported Rosenberger's decision.

"I believe Speaker Rosenberger said it best; his resignation was the most appropriate course of action for him, his family, the constituents of the 87th House District and the House," she said in a statement.

Goodman, 33, who says on his campaign web site that "healthy, vibrant, thriving, values-driven families are the source of Ohio’s proud history," expressed regret for his actions.

"We all bring our own struggles and our own trials into public life. That has been true for me, and I sincerely regret that my actions and choices have kept me from serving my constituents and our state in a way that reflects the best ideals of public service," he said in a statement. "For those whom I have let down, I’m sorry. As I move onto the next chapter of my life, I sincerely ask for privacy for myself, my family, and my friends.”

The departure of Goodman, who is married, comes less than a month after the resignation last month of Sen. Cliff Hite, R-Findlay, following a complaint of sexual harassment filed by a staffer who said he asked her repeatedly to have sex with him in his Columbus condo. On Monday, Senate Democratic Chief of Staff Mike Premo resigned following a complaint of inappropriate behavior by a staffer.

Senators underwent sexual harassment training Wednesday, said Senate President Larry Obhof, R-Medina, and staff will follow in the coming weeks. House members and staff are expected to do the same in the near future.

"Both the House and the Senate are sending a pretty clear message that inappropriate behavior won't be tolerated," Obhof said. "If you engage in that, there will be swift action and it will be decisive."

Goodman submitted a brief two-sentence resignation letter, calling it the "greatest honor of my life to serve the constituents of the 87th House District."

On his Twitter page, Goodman described himself as "Christian. American. Conservative. Republican."

Previously, Goodman was an aide to U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, developing "pro-family and pro-liberty" policies. Later he served as managing director for the Conservative Action Project, where he says he "led the fight for conservative principles like a balanced budget, lower taxes, repealing Obamacare, life, and religious liberty..."

Jordan endorsed Goodman in 2016, saying he had “the character, experience and passion to serve the families and taxpayers of our part of Ohio in the Statehouse.”

A Jordan spokeswoman said he heard “no allegations of wrongdoing and received no accusations of misconduct” during Goodman’s nearly six years working for him.

“Congressman Jordan is deeply disappointed by this troubling news, and believes Mr. Goodman’s resignation was the best course of action," said spokeswoman Melika Willoughby.

A Republican with close ties to the conservative movement, speaking about politically sensitive matters only on the condition of not being named, said reports about inappropriate behavior surfaced after Goodman returned to Ohio in 2015.

Goodman declared himself "proud" to carry on the tradition of the Caveman Caucus, the colorful moniker attached to a group of highly conservative lawmakers several years ago. He was co-sponsor of the Ohio Campus Free Speech Act, and worked on issues including the Medicaid expansion freeze.

Earlier this year, Goodman stood in for state Treasurer Josh Mandel's U.S. Senate campaign.

Like the situation involving Premo earlier in the week, legislative leaders did not give any indication what type of activity prompted Goodman's dismissal.

Asked if the public should know what a Statehouse official has done, beyond a generic “inappropriate behavior,” Obhof said, “in general, more sunlight is better.”

In Premo’s case, Republican leaders say they don’t even know what happened, and Obhof is not happy about it.

Democrats, citing attorney-client privilege, would not disclose to Obhof or Jason Mauk, his chief of staff, who made the complaint and what it was about.

Asked if there was discomfort with not knowing what happened, Obhof said, “there is, and we are looking into it to the extent that we are able to.”

Obhof is expected to send a letter soon to Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko, D-Richmond Heights, saying that he would like the opportunity to talk to the woman who made the complaint. There also is concern that Mauk, who is responsible for the employment of all Senate staff, had to accept Premo’s resignation without really knowing why.

“I will know more at some point, I hope,” Obhof said.

Mike Rowe, spokesman for Yuko, said the staff brought the complaint about Premo to Bethany Sanders, the caucus legal counsel, with the understanding that the woman's name would not be disclosed, and only certain information would be shared. That information was shared with Yuko and to the Republican legal counsel.

"We appreciate that they have respected the privacy of the staff that came forward," Rowe said.

Dispatch Washington bureau reporter Jessica Wehrman contributed to this story.

jsiegel@dispatch.com

@phrontpage