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Ohio Lawmaker Quietly Cleared In Sexual Harassment Investigation

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Records show a powerful Ohio lawmaker was quietly cleared in a sexual harassment investigation conducted by his former law firm.

A report obtained this week by The Associated Press shows Republican state Rep. Bill Seitz, of Cincinnati, was investigated after a female House employee complained Jan. 30 that remarks he’d made at a staff going-away party had worsened an already hostile work environment at the Statehouse. Seitz previously apologized.

After interviewing three people, two witnesses and Seitz, special counsel Taft Stettinius & Hollister concluded in April that Seitz hadn’t violated the House’s anti-harassment policy.

Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office retained the Taft law firm, whose contract runs through June 30. A DeWine spokesman said the firm reported having no conflicts. Seitz left the firm in 2014 after 36 years.