Idaho lawmaker accused of rape was warned about his behavior

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By REBECCA BOONE

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho lawmaker facing rape allegations from a 19-year-old intern was previously warned against hitting on women who work at the Statehouse after his colleagues heard complaints from other staffers, according to documents gathered by the Legislature’s ethics committee and obtained by The Associated Press.

The investigation into Lewiston Republican Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger’s conduct began in March when a 19-year-old legislative intern told a supervisor that the 38-year-old lawmaker raped her at his apartment after the two had dinner at a restaurant.

The Boise Police Department has a criminal investigation underway and the Legislature’s Ethics Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Wednesday to determine if the lawmaker “engaged in conduct unbecoming a representative which is detrimental to the integrity of the House.” The Associated Press obtained the investigatory documents on Monday via a public records request.

Von Ehlinger has denied the allegations and maintains the sexual encounter was consensual.



Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger, R-Lewiston, attends opening business as the Idaho House of Representatives convenes Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at the Statehouse in Boise, Idaho. The Idaho lawmaker facing rape allegations from a 19-year-old intern was previously warned against hitting on women who work at the Statehouse after his colleagues heard complaints from other staffers, according to documents gathered by the Legislature’s ethics committee and obtained by The Associated Press. The Boise Police Department has a criminal investigation underway and the Legislature’s Ethics Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 28. (Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-idaho-07fc51b8d7a331e15dabd45a222e8adb

[Archae]

1. I can't help but wonder...

If the encounter was "consensual," like he says, why would she accuse him of rape afterwards?

I know, women can be vindictive, but offhand I think this is really rare.

Sounds like this state congressman considers himself to be "God's gift to women," but in reality women probably don't want anything to do with him.

[Lithos]

8. It's more like he talked himself into believing she agreed to it

I mean "afterall"...

Hope the Idaho lege does the right thing. This sickens me.

L-

[Evolve Dammit]

2. What a total DICK. Sorry couldn't resist. von Ehlinger?? Sounds like an immigrant. GOP don't

like immigrants...

[Jilly_in_VA]

3. What a JOHNSON.

[SWBTATTReg]

4. And they did nothing else to follow up on this guy's bad behavior? Somehow, this figures,

knowing that it was probably all republicans on the ethics board so they cut him slack. Nice! (sarcasm here)...

[ToxMarz]

5. Aaron von Ehlinger, sounds very old world elite

I wonder if he's related to Count Chocula?

[Judi Lynn]

7. Why would anyone say anything negative about this Republican hero?

She must have been mad she couldn't keep him all to herself! Yeah, that's it.

[brewens]

9. Arrest warrant out for him. Rape this time too. Our local paper had a FB post up last night but

all I could read was the headline. I got the first comment in and said, "Dang. I can't read the story. Was it a woman? Adult?" I put that up there on purpose to suggest that I'd expect it to be a little boy with that dude. Kind of challenging any of his degenerate Evanpedical Christian supporters to give me one word of crap about it! LOL None so far.

https://www.eastidahonews.com/2021/09/former-idaho-legislator-faces-arrest-warrant-on-two-felony-charges-including-rape/

[brewens]

10. Oh. I guess he's finally being arrested for the rape he resigned over. I just naturally assumed he

raped another girl since he was still at large.