State representatives in the Colorado House, from both sides of the aisle, would be derelict in their duty if they don’t vote to expel state Rep. Steve Lebsock for his repeated abuse of colleagues at the Capitol.
State representatives are slated to take up a measure Friday that would summon an extremely rarely used power to oust another member.
The egregious and well-documented, repeated cases of sexual harassment, and Lebsock’s subsequent delusional behavior, makes this case worthy of invoking such dire power.
In short, Lebsock is that bad, and it’s that important to get him out.
Lebsock, a Thornton Democrat, has been the subject of an independent investigation and controversy over allegations that he sexually harassed state Rep. Faith Winter, D-Westminster, and four other Capitol staffers and lobbyists.
A comprehensive independent inquiry by the Employers Council was leaked to the media yesterday and revealed a competent and credible investigation into a bevy of allegations against Lebsock. There is no doubt about the veracity of his accusers. Lebsock, on the other hand, is either delusional or lying. Either option is a case for his ouster.
Victims relayed a seemingly endless barrage of profanity laden abuses, where Lebsock propositioned them, cajoled them and in one extremely worrisome incident, the abuse bordered on assault.
The time has finally come to realize the behavior of Lebsock and other like him — and there are others like him — is an abuse of power. It isn’t locker room talk or boys being boys, it’s destructive and dangerous. This goes far beyond personal failure. In the case of Lebsock and so many others, it’s a fishing for an opportunity for extortion.
As disturbing as are Lebsock’s sexual abuses at the Capitol, his behavior after being outed is even more shocking. There were only fleeting moments of contrition. Just after the revelations were made public last year, he began a bizarre mission of revenge and spite, making absurd counter charges and continuing to intimidate and berate his victims.
Lebsock is the very reason state lawmakers hold the power to oust such an offensive person from their midst.
To allow him to keep his seat until it expires,or until voters muster the effort to throw him out, would be a shameful injustice to all of the women he’s abused at the Capitol. It would be an injustice to his own constituents, and the our very form of government.
His abysmal behavior wouldn’t be tolerated anywhere in the public workplace, it by no means should be accommodated in the Legislature.
Only fellow members of the House are allowed to vote on this critical matter. We urge each representative to excise this toxic man and prove what they all have recently boasted about: This type behavior will not be tolerated at the Capitol.
Vote to expel Lebsock.