A House ethics committee on Tuesday recommended that Rep. Ron Weinberg be admonished and required to take a sexual harassment training course in response to allegations of inappropriate conduct.
Weinberg, a Loveland Republican, faced accusations from fellow Republican Rep. Brandi Bradley that he misused a master key that could access any of the offices of his fellow legislators and that he used the key to enter at least one member’s space. She also alleged that Weinberg made sexually suggestive and inappropriate comments to her and others on multiple occasions.
Weinberg had initially requested an evidentiary hearing where the bipartisan could seek firmer proof that he committed wrongdoing. But Weinberg withdrew that request in favor of letting the committee make a recommendation based on probable cause findings.
The committee unanimously voted to recommend that Weinberg face a formal admonishment, including noting that the allegations fit “a pattern” of unbecoming behavior. The recommendation will now go to House leadership, along with a formal report of the committee’s findings.
The recommendation includes calling for Weinberg to complete sexual harassment training.
The committee drew a distinction between the probable cause findings and what would be clearer findings from a formal evidentiary proceeding. The required sexual harassment training was a particular sticking point. Rep. Javier Mabrey, a Denver Democrat on the committee, said it wasn’t proof that Weinberg broke ethics rules, but reflected the lower standard of probable cause.
“I don’t think that (required training) is necessarily saying we think you did this, or that this is the level of punishment to expect if sexual harassment did in fact occur,” Mabrey said.
An attempt to reach Weinberg for comment Tuesday morning was not successful. He announced in January that he would not seek reelection in the November election. Weinberg faces separate allegations that he misused campaign funds. The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office is investigating those claims.
