Who owns the English language? More profoundly, who decides if an opinion is valid or invalid? Like many others of my generation, I am often frustrated by the politically correct dicta that classify some of my beliefs as unacceptable. As an Old White Guy, there are things that, apparently, I… More Headlines
Idaho Lawmaker Accused of Rape Was Warned by Fellow Republican Flirting Off Limits
On 4/27/21 at 7:26 PM EDT
A fellow Republican warned Idaho State Representative Aaron von Ehlinger that flirting with state House staff workers was off-limits a short while before an unnamed 19-year old House intern accused Ehlinger of rape.
Ehlinger has denied the accusation and hasn t been charged with a crime. Nevertheless, the Republican-led House Ethics Committee is investigating to determine whether Ehlinger committed conduct unbecoming of a House member.
On March 11, an unnamed House intern told the chamber s Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Kim Blackburn that Ehlinger had taken her to dinner at Barbacoa Grill on the evening of March 10. After dinner, the intern said that Ehlinger then drove them to his apartment so he could pick up something he had forgotten, according to NPR Idaho.
The Idaho Way is a weekly roundup of opinions, commentary and your views from around the region brought to you by the Opinion editor of the Idaho Statesman.
April 19, 2021
Lewiston Republican state Representative Aaron von Ehlinger has denied an accusation of having “unconsented sexual contact” with a volunteer on the legislative staff in Boise.
Following a preliminary investigation, the House Ethics Committee found there was sufficient probable cause to move forward with the complaint. It’s expected to hold a public hearing regarding the allegations sometime during the week of April 26th.
According to the Lewiston Tribune, Von Ehlinger says he and the accuser engaged in consensual sex, and that the woman was a “willing participant” who never told him “no.” He also provided a copy of a polygraph examination he took, which supported his statements.