Updates: Kentucky lawmaker accused of strangulation allegedly tried to hog-tie victim
Kentucky state Rep. Robert Goforth — a former gubernatorial candidate — was arrested and charged after a domestic violence incident early Tuesday, according to police and the Laurel County jail.
Goforth, 44, was arrested in East Bernstadt by the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office and charged with strangulation, assault and terroristic threatening, according to Sheriff John Root. The Republican legislator was booked just after 4 a.m. at the Laurel County Correctional Center Tuesday, according to the jail’s website.
Before the arrest, the alleged victim showed up at the 911 dispatch center Tuesday morning and reported the alleged assault, according to the arrest citation. She said there were three children inside a house when Goforth allegedly assaulted her there, according to the citation.
She had visible marks on her forehead, neck and arms, as well as bruising on her leg, the citation said.
The victim told police that she tried to flee from Goforth, and that he made several attempts to “hog tie her,” according to the citation. He also allegedly strangled her with an ethernet cable to the point where she said she thought she was going to pass out, according to the citation.
She also told police that Goforth said he was going to kill her during the altercation, according to the arrest citation.
The alleged victim told police she was able to escape by promising to unlock her phone, the issue that set off the incident, according to the citation.
Police determined that Goforth didn’t appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol once they made contact with him, and the three children were found safe, according to the report.
Goforth was released from jail later Tuesday on a $25,000 cash bond, according to court records. He could not be reached for comment.
Goforth of East Bernstadt, represents the 89th District, which covers Jackson County, as well as parts of Laurel and Madison counties.
GOP responds to calls for Goforth’s resignation
The Kentucky Democratic Party called on Goforth to resign Tuesday following the arrest.
“State Representative Goforth must resign immediately,” Kentucky Democratic spokeswoman Marisa McNee said in a statement. “This is not the first time a victim of Mr. Goforth’s violent assaults has come forward. Republican Leadership has ignored this for far too long, it is time for them to take action. Goforth needs to go.”
During his run for governor in 2019, Goforth faced sexual assault allegations, which he denied.
Goforth pulled in nearly 40 percent of the vote in the Republican primary when he ran for governor, but lost to incumbent Gov. Matt Bevin who lost to Democratic challenger Andy Beshear.
Republican David Osborne, the speaker of the House of Representatives, said leaders had learned of the charges.
“Like everyone else, we have just been made aware of these charges and do not know the facts related to this case,” Osborne said in a statement. “While we reserve comment on this specific situation, the House Majority Caucus unequivocally denounces any form of domestic violence and has zero tolerance for it or its perpetrators.
“A society that values human life must also condemn domestic abuse,” Osborne said. “We each have a moral obligation to not only speak out against domestic violence, but also to recognize that domestic abuse knows no boundaries. Its victims and perpetrators come from every income, race, or socioeconomic status.”
Goforth has been a substance abuse prevention educator, pharmacist, farmer and U.S. Army combat engineer, according to the Legislative Research Commission.
Goforth is the second Kentucky state representative to be arrested in the last week. Rep. Derek J. Lewis was arrested Thursday on a drunken driving charge.
This story was originally published April 21, 2020 at 9:00 AM.