Following a swift investigation by the House General Investigating Committee, State Rep. Bryan Slaton will face expulsion from the Texas House following allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct with a subordinate.
State Rep. Andrew Murr (R–Kerrville), who chairs the Investigating Committee, told the House on Saturday their findings showed that Slaton (R-Royse City) provided alcohol to a 19-year-old staff member prior to having sex with the woman.
The report states that Slaton had repeatedly bought alcoholic drinks for the woman. On the evening of March 31, he invited her and her friends to his apartment because he “did not want to drink by himself.” That evening, Slaton reportedly engaged in sexual intercourse with the female staffer.
Following the encounter, Murr claimed that Slaton “acted systematically to influence that subordinate and multiple witnesses to obstruct the investigation.”
The report was then distributed to members who read the reports from their desks. Slaton was in attendance during the announcement.
Rep. Murr delivers results of the House General Investigating Committee concerning the conduct of Rep. Bryan Slaton#txlege https://t.co/kskMmKVflW pic.twitter.com/AI1wveZgfb
— Lege TV (@legetv) May 6, 2023
Murr also added that he would introduce a resolution on Tuesday, May 9, to expel Slaton from the chamber. Such a motion would require two-thirds approval of the body and would vacate the seat immediately, setting up a special election to replace him.
The last time a member of the House was expelled was in 1927.
When the allegations first surfaced last month, Slaton’s lawyer, Patrick Short, called the allegations “outrageous” and “false.” As of publication, Short had not returned a request for comment from Texas Scorecard.
Though the expulsion vote is set to take place on Tuesday, Capitol sources have suggested Slaton may resign prior to the vote.
The full committee report may be read here.
