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Pennsylvania lawmaker resigns over sex abuse accusations

By Darryl Coote
Brian Ellis faces accusations of sexual assault a woman said happened in an incident four years ago. Photo courtesy Brian Ellis/Facebook
Brian Ellis faces accusations of sexual assault a woman said happened in an incident four years ago. Photo courtesy Brian Ellis/Facebook

March 19 (UPI) -- Six days after he was formally accused of sexual assault, Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Ellis has resigned his seat in the General Assembly.

Ellis said in a letter to the House speaker Monday he would resign immediately.

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"It is with immense gratitude to the sacrifices made by my family, the support of my constituents and the friendship of my colleagues that I have concluded that it is in the best interests of my family, the residents of the 11th House district, and my own health that I resign," he said.

Ellis served Pennsylvania's 11th House district. His departure occurred less than a week after a woman filed a complaint with House Republicans saying she was abused by Ellis.

The woman, who works in state government, said Ellis raped her while she was incapacitated in 2015. Her five-page complaint says she had fewer than two drinks that night but has "scant memories" of the following 10 hours.

"I woke up in pain, injured and naked, the next morning in the bed of Rep. Brian Ellis," she wrote.

Ellis' attorney said the accusations were "just plain false" and an attempt at "generating sensational press coverage," the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

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Victims advocate Jennifer Storm heralded Ellis' resignation as a new day for the state.

"This is a new day in Harrisburg, one where we hope all survivors feel they can come forward, be believed and be treated with dignity and respect," she said, adding she hopes it encourages other victims to speak up.

In January, assembly leaders urged Ellis to resign and suspended him from the chairmanship of the Consumer Affairs Committee.

Calls for his resignation came after the Dauphin County District Attorney's Office began investigating.

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