Texas Representative Bryan Slaton (R) resigned from his position on Monday to avoid an expulsion vote after being accused of engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct with a 19-year-old aide. The House was scheduled to vote on Tuesday whether to expel Slaton following an investigation conducted by the House Committee on General Investigating.
The bipartisan committee unanimously recommended his expulsion, citing that it is "the only appropriate discipline in this matter." If the House had reached a two-thirds majority vote for expulsion, Slaton would have been the first Texas House member expelled since 1927.
Slaton's accusers allege that he provided alcohol to underage staffers multiple times and gave them vouchers so they could acquire alcoholic beverages at a lobbying event. The next morning, according to friends of the aide involved in the incident, she took emergency contraceptive Plan B and was driven home by Slaton himself.
"The expulsion of a fellow member is a level of punishment we don't take lightly," said Rep. Andrew Murr (R), who heads the investigating committee.
Despite resigning before facing potential expulsion, questions remain about what consequences may arise for Slaton due to these allegations. His resignation letter did not address any findings against him but stated he wanted expectations for representation in his district met by another representative moving forward.