Alaska lawmaker accused of inappropriate behaviour resigning
JUNEAU, Alaska — An Alaska lawmaker who was accused by several women of inappropriate behaviour announced Friday that he will resign.
Staff for state Rep. Dean Westlake hand-delivered his resignation letter to the House speaker’s office. The letter came three days after Westlake rejected calls from House and party leaders who said he should step down.
Pressure mounted on the freshman Democrat from western Alaska after a growing number of women came forward claiming Westlake acted inappropriately or made them feel uncomfortable. One said he grabbed her buttocks. There were also complaints he engaged in lingering hugs and made inappropriate comments.
Westlake’s resignation letter thanked the women who came forward and apologized “for the pain I have caused.” He also apologized to his constituents.