Ehlinger testified before the ethics committee on Wednesday, Fox News reported. The committee unanimously agreed that the accusations against von Ehlinger are “unbecoming” and that the representative should not receive pay or benefits, nor return to Capitol grounds and that a substitute legislator fill his place, the Idaho Press reported.
Von Ehlinger pleaded the Fifth during his testimony Wednesday at the recommendation of his legal counsel, Fox News reported. The committee said that his testimony cannot be used in criminal court cases under Idaho state law.
The accuser used the name Jane Doe to protect her identity during the hearing, but some blogs and Republican Rep. Priscilla Giddings had revealed her identity in social media posts, which were removed shortly after, according to Fox News.
Credit Idaho Public TV screenshot
UPDATED: 2:20 pm PT
The Idaho House Ethics Committee heard testimony Wednesday about an accusation of sexual assault against Lewiston Republican Representative Aaron von Ehlinger.
Committee members will reconvene on Thursday morning to debate their next steps.
The complaint was lodged by a 19-year-old legislative intern who said the legislator forced her to perform oral sex on him during a date in March. Boise Police have investigated, but no legal charges have yet been filed.
Committee members say the hearing is not to determine whether von Ehlinger is guilty of a crime, but to determine if he violated House rules in having a sexual relationship with the woman and whether he should be disciplined.
April 29, 2021
An Idaho House Ethics Committee heard testimony Wednesday to decide if Lewiston Representative Aaron von Ehlinger was guilty of conduct unbecoming with regard to allegations of unwanted sexual contact with a 19-year-old legislative staff member in March.
During the 5 hour hearing, the committee heard arguments from the 38-year-old von Ehlinger’s attorney, along with the unnamed accuser and several other House members.
The 5 member committee is charged with determining if von Ehlinger violated House ethics rules related to the conduct of the body’s representatives.
The Ethics Committee can recommend that von Ehlinger be reprimanded, censured, expelled, or have the allegations dismissed, but it’s up to the full House to pass final judgment.
April 29, 2021
An Idaho lawmaker accused of sexual assault by a 19-year-old legislative intern has resigned after an ethics committee found he should be formally censured.
The investigation into Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger began in March after a young staffer reported he raped her in his apartment after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant. Von Ehlinger has denied all wrongdoing and maintains he had consensual sexual contact with the young woman.
He resigned Thursday after an ethics committee unanimously agreed that he engaged in “behavior unbecoming” and recommended that he be suspended without pay for the rest of the legislative session. The Boise Police Department is investigating the allegations, and von Ehlinger has not been charged.
Associated Press.
The accuser, who testified behind a black curtain to keep her identity private, claimed she told Von Ehlinger no in several different ways before he attempted to initiate sexual contact.
“How do I explain that vomiting on myself in the bathroom … calling my mom because I’m terrified. … How do I explain that to the committee, what you’ve done to me?” she said of being forced to testify. “I came here fighting and earning your respect. But I don’t blame you. I forgive you. You’re doing your job, and I am too.”
Von Ehlinger did not answer questions during the hearing, at the insistence of his lawyer, though the committee voted to hold him in contempt as a result of it.