Democratic Rep. Rick Staples faces allegations, investigation of sexual misconduct – The Tennessean

Knoxville Democratic Rep. Rick Staples is facing disciplinary action after an internal investigation determined he violated the legislature’s sexual harassment policy, according to multiple sources aware of the inquiry.

As a result, Staples is expected to be removed from the House Ethics Committee, to which Speaker Glen Casada appointed him in January.

Although the official details of Staples’ violation of the policy are unclear, the allegations of improper conduct make him the fourth Tennessee lawmaker in as many years to face scrutiny for their conduct — including three for actions while in office.

A woman who recently interacted with Staples while visiting the legislature told the USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee the actions come after she brought forward her concerns that the lawmaker inappropriately touched her.

The woman, who is not being identified by the USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee because she is a victim of harassment, alleged that Staples grabbed and held on to her waist while standing behind her after he had made inappropriate comments about her appearance.

The woman is involved in Democratic politics in the state and said Staples had made inappropriate remarks to her on previous occasions. But she decided to move forward with a complaint most recently since she said Staples touched her inappropriately.

“My first day doing anything in politics, one of the very first things I heard was not to be alone in a room with Rick,” she said in an interview.

After the recent incident, she reported details about the encounter to House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Stewart, D-Nashville, though she said she had to follow up with his office before receiving a reply.

The USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee has obtained documents verifying that the woman reported the incident and was in communication about it with Stewart and Connie Ridley, director of legislative administration.

Stewart declined to comment for this story.

Staples, who was first elected to the legislature in 2016, declined to comment. After this story was published, Staples left a committee hearing he was in and briefly stopped by the House clerk’s office. Prior to getting on a nearby elevator, when approached for a comment, he said, “No, I’m alright.”

Gov. Bill Lee’s spokeswoman, Laine Arnold, said, “Allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace must be taken seriously and the process to investigate claims should be thorough. We trust that is what’s happening here.”

Woman: Multiple disciplinary actions against Staples taken

Knoxville Democrats had voted for Staples to replace former Rep. Joe Armstrong on the ballot that year after Armstrong, convicted of a felony for filing a false income tax report, became ineligible to run for reelection.

The woman said Wednesday she has been informed that multiple disciplinary actions would be taken against Staples as a result of the investigation, though Ridley could not share specifics with her.

If those actions are taken, Staples’ personnel file will be updated in the coming days to include a letter that confirms he violated the harassment policy, according to the policy.

Although the woman was encouraged to hear that the state is taking action, she expressed frustration that Staples will remain at the statehouse and that it took multiple follow-up attempts to initiate an investigation.

“I personally hate the fact that (Staples is) still in office, that he’s treating women like this and still has a job representing the people of (his) district,” the woman said.

A spokesman for the House Democrats declined a request for comment.

A spokesman for Casada, R-Franklin, declined to confirm the existence of an investigation into Staples and referred questions to the legislature’s harassment policy.

Rep. Matthew Hill, R-Jonesborough, who serves as chairman of the ethics committee, did not respond to a request for comment.

What you need to know: Four Tennessee lawmakers in four years accused of sexual misconduct

2 complaints filed, investigation commenced

The investigation into the allegations against Staples occurred after at least two complaints were filed in recent weeks, according to multiple sources, though the nature of the second complaint is unknown.

Under the legislature’s harassment policy, an internal investigation must begin immediately after the complaints are received. The investigation would have led to a report, which would have been provided to the four-member House Ethics Subcommittee, of which Staples was a member.

Since the complaint involved him, Staples would have been replaced on the subcommittee, as outlined in House rules.

“If a member of the subcommittee is the subject of a complaint or is recused, subcommittee staff shall notify the speaker,” the rules state. “The speaker shall appoint a temporary replacement from the full committee who represents the same political party as the member to be replaced.”

The subcommittee’s findings have not yet officially been finalized, according to multiple sources.

Staples’ apparent violation of the harassment policy comes nearly three months after House lawmakers underwent an in-person training. During the 30-minute training, held in the House chamber, several lawmakers could be seen talking to one another and using their cellphones.

The Tennessee General Assembly’s updated workplace harassment policy, adopted by Casada and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, on Jan. 9, outlines examples of sexual harassment that are prohibited.

The examples include “verbal, written, or physical conduct of a sexual nature by a manager, supervisor, or co-worker.”

Under the policy, harassment complaints filed can be forwarded to the respective speaker of the House or Senate, who must then assign Ridley to conduct an investigation.

Ridley did not respond to a request for comment.

After the investigation, the complaint is referred to the respective House or Senate ethics committee, which determines whether the harassment policy was violated and is to take “prompt, corrective action” to stop the harassment and “prevent its recurrence … based on the individual circumstances of the situation.”

The policy does not outline specific disciplinary action that should be taken against a member.

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Staples is the 4th lawmaker in 4 years to face allegations

Staples is the fourth House lawmaker in as many years to face allegations of inappropriate sexual actions and once again raises questions about the General Assembly’s handling of allegations of wrongdoing.

In 2016, the legislature faced questions after The Tennessean published a story that found then-Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin, had sent inappropriate late night text messages to several women.

Durham, who left the House Republican caucus, was later investigated by the state attorney general’s office, which found he had inappropriate sexual contact with at least 22 women.

Durham resisted calls to resign and was ultimately expelled from the House in September 2016.

In February 2017, Rep. Mark Lovell, R-Eads, stepped down while facing allegations of sexual harassment. Lovell, who was a freshman lawmaker, was later found to have violated the legislature’s harassment policy.

Last year, Rep. David Byrd faced scrutiny after local Nashville television station WSMV published a story that featured three women who said the Waynesboro Republican sexually assaulted them when he was their high school basketball coach in the 1980s.

Byrd, who was recently removed from his position as chairman of an education subcommittee, has repeatedly defied calls for his resignation. No formal investigation into the allegations against Byrd has occurred.  

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Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29. Reach Natalie Allison at nallison@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter at @natalie_allison.

About Rick Staples

Name: Roderick Deon Staples

Party: Democrat

Age: 49

Represents: District 15, Knoxville

Family: Single, four children

Occupation: Account executive

Religion: Baptist

Education: Graduate of University Tennessee-Knoxville, graduate of Holston High School

Currently serves on: House commerce committee; banking and investments subcommittee; finance, ways and means committee; state committee; departments and agencies subcommittee; joint pensions and insurance committee

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