Kentucky lawmaker kills himself amid sexual misconduct investigation

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December 14, 2017 2:36 AM

Kentucky state Rep. Dan Johnson has committed suicide amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

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 Mt. 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-removed 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."

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