Lawmakers Move Toward Rep. Steve Lebsock Expulsion

By Shaun Boyd

DENVER (CBS4)- The state House of Representatives announced on Tuesday morning that lawmakers are moving toward the expulsion of Rep. Steve Lebsock after sexual misconduct complaints made against him were deemed credible.

It's the first time in over a century, Colorado lawmakers could vote this week to expel one of their own.

Democratic Majority Leader KC Becker introduced a resolution on Tuesday.

Previously, Lebsock has denied any wrongdoing in connection with formal sexual harassment complaints, including those filed by Democratic Rep. Faith Winter and Holly Tarry, a former lobbyist.

"I've received a report from the outside investigator that includes 11 allegations by five women against Rep. Lebsock. All of the allegations have been found to be credible by the external investigator. I've reviewed the report and found the content of the report to be both serious and egregious in nature. Due to the seriousness of the findings, I'm recommending that this body consider, through a resolution through expulsion, that Rep. Lebsock be expelled from this body," said Becker on the House floor.

The members of the House will get a chance to see redacted copies of that report on Wednesday. The expulsion process begins with meetings among House lawmakers on Thursday.

"We, as a general assembly, have responsibility to police our own, to hold our own to high level of accountability," said Becker.

LINK: Lebsock Investigation Report

"I will not be expelled. The members of this body will see what's going on, and I will not be expelled." said Lebsock.

Winter alleges that Lebsock acted aggressively toward her when she turned down his sexual advances during an end-of-session party in 2016. She said he grabbed her elbow and that she felt threatened.

"Now Colorado knows the truth. It is important to stand up to bullies and I will not be silenced," Winter said.

Lebsock says the allegations are lies, and even went so far as to take a lie detector test.

"I'm not guilty. I've done nothing wrong. I've never sexually harrassed anyone," he said.

Lebsock, a candidate for state treasurer, had been removed as chair of the House Local Government Committee pending the investigations.

Previously, Lebsock released the results of polygraph tests he said proves that he is telling the truth. Without admitting misconduct, he also apologized to Winter and two other women who allege harassment, former lobbyist Holly Tarry and former legislative aide Cassie Tanner, for causing them pain.

Rep. Patrick Neville - the Republican leader in the House, and the only one outside of Becker to see the report - says some of the allegations, while maybe true, aren't harrassment.

"After seeing that report, I've got way more questions than I had before. They're giving very strong opnions in write up. I would like to know how they formulated those opinions," Neville said.

Neville and Becker say the law prohibits them from releasing the report. Lebsock and Winter will receive their own copies.

Lebsock says he'll make his public. Winter says she'll release at least part of it.

It takes two-thirds of the House to expel a member. It hasn't happened since 1915.

Shaun Boyd is CBS4's political specialist. She's a veteran reporter with more than 25 years of experience. Follow her on Twitter @cbs4shaun.