Oregon senator Jeff Kruse is resigning after an investigation determined he had harassed multiple women in the Capitol building
An Oregon state senator says he is resigning after an investigation determined he had harassed multiple women in the Capitol building with prolonged hugging, groping and other unwelcome physical contact.
Sen. Jeff Kruse said in a statement Thursday that he denies the allegations, but he is stepping down so his colleagues may focus on serving Oregonians without distraction. His resignation is effective March 15.
The move comes after an investigative report documented allegations that Kruse harassed or groped female colleagues while talking to them in public areas of the Senate.
The investigation also found that Kruse continued the behavior despite warnings, and escalated his harassment of female colleagues after being told not to touch women at work.
Kruse, a Republican from Roseburg, who has served more than 20 years in the Oregon Senate, had been stripped of his committee assignments by the Senate president late last year because of the complaints.
Senate Majority Leader Ginny Burdick praised the women who spoke up about the harassment.
Democratic state senators Elizabeth Steiner (left) Hayward and Sara Gelser (right) accused Kruse of sexual harassment last fall
Kruse allegedly told investigator Dian Rubanoff (pictured) that his behavior was ‘instinctual’ and that ‘It’s not easy to change when you have been doing something for 67 years’
‘Women showed incredible courage to come out with their experiences, and hopefully this will provide them with some comfort,’ the Democrat told reporters.
Democratic state senators Sara Gelser and Elizabeth Steiner Hayward accused Kruse of sexual harassment last fall. It was a formal complaint by Geiser that triggered an outside investigation arranged by a legislative committee.
Independent investigator Dian Rubanoff found the senator engaged in a ‘longstanding pattern of unwelcome physical contact’ that victimized a House member, a third female senator, two law students who used to work for him, Republican and non-partisan staffers, a former legislative aide and a lobbyist, according to Oregon Live.
Sen Jeff Kruse said in a statement Thursday that he denies the allegations, but he is stepping down so his colleagues may focus on serving Oregonians without distraction (file photo)
Sen Jeff Kruse’s desk, center left, is empty as senators attend Legislative opening ceremonies at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, a day after a report accused him of harassment and the governor and house speaker called for him to resign
According to the report, one of the law students said Kruse called her ‘little girl’ and ‘sexy’ while she worked at the Capitol. The anonymous woman also said the disgraced senator would pull her into tight hugs at least twice per week.
Kruse allegedly told Rubanoff that his behavior was ‘instinctual’ and that ‘It’s not easy to change when you have been doing something for 67 years.’
The president of the Oregon state Senate said Sen. Jeff Kruse made the right decision in resigning after an investigation determined he had harassed women in the Capitol building with hugging, groping and other physical contact.
Senate President Peter Courtney, a Democrat, said the resignation by the long-serving Republican ends a difficult chapter for the Legislature but the discussion on ending harassment must continue.
Jackie Winters, the state Senate Republican leader in the Legislature dominated by Democrats, thanked Kruse for his 22 years of service, and said lawmakers must work to provide a safe work environment for everyone.