Louisville Dems bar state representative accused of sexual harassment from party events
State Rep. Daniel Grossberg’s own local party has barred him from attending events or functions until an ethical investigation into his conduct has concluded.
The Louisville Democratic Party met Wednesday evening, and on Thursday morning the party released a public statement via X, formerly Twitter, asking the Louisville lawmaker to not attend local party events while the “investigation is in process.”
“Though we understand the claims against representative Grossberg are allegations at this point in time, we are asking that he temporarily refrain from participating in (Louisville Democratic Party) events and meetings while the Legislative Ethics Commission investigation is in process,” the party’s statement reads.
The move comes after multiple reports from the Herald-Leader, detailing allegations of inappropriate behavior and sexual harassment by Grossberg.
In the most recent story, published last week, the Herald-Leader reported on the stories of two women either received inappropriate, harassing or sexually-tinged messages from Grossberg.
A third woman in the story recounted an incident of alleged sexual harassment in Grossberg’s office wherein he consumed multiple alcoholic drinks in front of her and asked about her questions about her genitals and sex life.
The Herald-Leader is not publicly naming any of the women who have made claims against Grossberg due to their fear of retaliation in the tight-knit political world of Frankfort and the sensitive nature of the allegations. The Herald-Leader has cited messages or the experiences of six different women, as well as some of Grossberg’s college writings, over the course of three weeks of reporting.
Grossberg, a first-term legislator who is running unopposed in November, said in a statement Thursday morning through his attorney Anna Whites, “I appreciate the Louisville Democratic Party’s concern for all parties in this matter. I will continue to focus on serving constituents while the Ethics Commission completes its review.”
The party’s statement indicated that it was making the move to bar him from events out of its “commitment to creating a safe and respectful environment for everyone.”
“We are dedicated to ending all forms of harassment by fostering a culture of inclusivity, providing robust support systems, and holding ourselves accountable,” the statement said. “We believe that every individual deserves an environment free from harassment, and we are resolute in our efforts to ensure this standard is met.”
Grossberg has steadfastly denied any impropriety or misuse of his power. He did, however, apologize to anyone he’s made feel uncomfortable.
“I deny any allegations of sexual harassment or abuse of office,” he wrote in a statement to the Herald-Leader. “I sincerely apologize to anyone who felt uncomfortable because of something I said or wrote.”
Whites, in defending Grossberg, has also mentioned that the 45-year-old lawmaker has a “neurodivergent diagnosis.”
Previous Herald-Leader reporting has prompted the Kentucky Young Democrats to call for his resignation and led to House Democratic leadership to ask for an ethics investigation, suspend him from the caucus and strip him of all interim committee assignments and his office space.
Gov. Andy Beshear calls the allegations “very concerning.” Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman said it is “infuriating” that women are “still being subjected to the kinds of harassment that has been reported.”
Neither called for Grossberg to resign.
A handful of other Democrats, including the Democratic candidate for Central Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District, have called on Grossberg to step down. In recent days, the calls have grown. Emma Curtis, a candidate for city council who was one of the leading protesters against Senate Bill 150 in 2023, and Teri Carter, a progressive writer and activist, both called for Grossberg to resign.
Some within the Democratic ranks have expressed frustration that more haven’t joined in on calls for the legislator to step down.
Kentucky Young Democrats President Allison Wiseman called organizations who stop short of calling on Grossberg to resign “tepid.”
“I am deeply disappointed in organizations from all political stripes who have chosen to not believe women & not call on Rep. Grossberg to resign. Their tepid non-actions and equivocation are a slap in the face to the women who faced this harassment, as well as those across the Commonwealth who experience it every day,” Wiseman wrote on X.
This story was originally published August 29, 2024 at 9:33 AM.
