Kentucky lawmaker kills himself amid sexual misconduct investigation
- Kentucky state Rep. Dan Johnson has committed suicide amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
- Johnson is alleged to have sexually violated a 17-year-old girl during his daughter's sleep-over party, .
Kentucky state Rep. Dan Johnson has committed suicide amid allegations of sexual misconduct, WDRB reported Wednesday.
Johnson's body, along with a gun, was reportedly found on a bridge in Mr. Washington, about 55 miles southwest of the capital city Frankfort.
Johnson previously refused to resign after he was accused of waking up his daughter's 17-year-old friend during a sleepover in 2013, and fondling her underneath her clothes.
The victim reportedly sent him a Facebook message following the alleged incident, according to the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting:
Johnson claimed he sent a Facebook message to the woman that said he couldn't remember what took place that New Year's night because he was "drugged" at a bar, the Courier-Journal reported. He later said that he did remember the night in question; however, denied having entering the girl's room.
Following the allegations, he was encouraged by Democrats and Republicans to resign, the Courier-Journal said.
Johnson reportedly posted a now-deleted message on his Facebook denying the allegations on Wednesday:
Johnson, a self-described "pope" of his church's congregation and a Republican, said in multiple statements that the allegations were false and politically motivated. He also suggested that the accuser, now 21-years-old, supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election and was against his conservative beliefs, the Courier-Journal reported.
During a press conference at his church, Johnson led the choir in hymns before issuing a statement.
"I don't want to blast this girl, I have a lot of compassion for her," Johnson said, according to the Courier-Journal. "I'm very sorrowful that she's in this dark place in her life."