Rep. Rick Staples stepping down from Democratic leadership role after violating harassment policy
Rep. Rick Staples, the Knoxville Democrat who violated the state legislature's sexual harassment policy, is stepping down from his leadership position in the House Democratic Caucus.
Staples, who serves as assistant minority leader, elaborated on the decision in a statement Thursday morning in an effort to "end the unwarranted suffering on my family, continue to serve my constituents unimpeded and end any distractions this may bring to the Tennessee House."
His decision comes after the House Ethics Subcommittee, following an internal investigation, found Staples violated the General Assembly's sexual harassment policy.
When approached on the House floor after Thursday's session, Staples declined to comment.
“I have already publicly apologized for any distress I unintentionally caused," Staples said in the statement.
He previously apologized if his actions were "misinterpreted" by a woman who said Staples inappropriately grabbed her waist and made comments about her appearance, though he called the situation a "political character assassination."
The woman who made the accusations, first reported by USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee, is active in Democratic politics.
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Staples says he will follow ethics recommendations
In an April 1 letter to House Speaker Glen Casada — added to Staples' legislative personnel file on Tuesday — the House Ethics Subcommittee wrote that Staples had been directed to take "preventative action" and "remedial measures" to prevent further harassment.
In his statement Thursday, Staples said he would comply with the subcommittee's recommendations, which will not be made public.
"I look forward to following the recommendations of the Ethics Committee and pledge to remain the best servant to my constituency of District 15," Staples said. "I’ll have no further comment going forward on this matter.”
Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Stewart, D-Nashville, said Staples made the decision on his own and had not been asked by caucus leadership to resign.
Staples' name has also been removed from an online listing of House Ethics Committee members. Staples had served on the panel.
Democratic leader declines to comment on matter
House Minority Leader Karen Camper, D-Memphis, repeatedly declined to comment on Wednesday and Thursday about Staples, whether she was concerned about his behavior and whether the caucus would take further action against him.
Camper said her position on the House Ethics Committee prohibited her from speaking on it, even generally, despite the outcome of the investigation having already been made public in Staples' personnel file.
Stewart said that Staples made the right decision, but should not be asked to leave the legislature as a result of the findings.
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"Based on the ethics opinion, no, I don’t think he has to resign his seat," Stewart said.
On Thursday, Republican Caucus Chairman Rep. Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, reiterated his concern about whether Stewart reported the woman's allegation immediately upon her contacting Stewart about what occurred.
"Do I think he followed the policy?" Sexton told reporters. "No, I don’t think he did. Is it a violation? We're not sure."
Sexton said he believed a House ethics investigation into Stewart's handling of the matter would be warranted "just to see if the policy was followed."
Stewart has maintained that he followed the policy, though it's unclear how long it took between the time he received the woman's complaint and the time he forwarded it for a formal investigation by legislative administration.
"I looked at the policy very carefully," Stewart said Thursday. "I carefully complied with it. I think I complied with the policy. I think I reported it properly. I took it seriously. I read it. I did what it said."
Reach Natalie Allison at nallison@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter at @natalie_allison.
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