A veteran Kentucky lawmaker says last week's mandatory ethics training carried an impactful message. The workshop took place as questions remain about sexual harassment allegations within the Kentucky legislature.
Civil lawsuits filed by three women in two separate cases allege sexual harassment by a former state lawmaker and a current representative. Both men have denied any wrongdoing. The issue was first brought to light publicly by Louisville Representative Tom Riner during a floor speech in 2013.
Riner says last week's ethics training was the best he's seen during his more than three decades in the general assembly. "This was the most important, most powerful training that we've ever received," said Riner.
Riner said the training including appearances by two former Missouri state lawmakers. One went to prison for lying to federal investigators about a smear campaign during a run for Congress and the other plead guilty to misdemeanor sexual assault. Tom Riner says Jeff Smith served almost a year in prison. "Caused him to come to Kentucky and spend his time in prison in Kentucky and he told us exactly what his prison experience was, how difficult it was," added Riner.
Riner says the firsthand testimony carried a strong impact. The veteran representative says the ethics training last week also covered the topic of sexual harassment.
