Utah Sen. Gene Davis resigns amid misconduct allegations
By SAM METZ
Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah Democratic state Sen. Gene Davis resigned Wednesday, hours after legislators from both parties demanded he step aside and leadership stripped him of committee assignments.
Davis’ resignation ends a saga that began in August after a former intern posted on Instagram claims that Davis, 77, had inappropriately touched her, including her toes and waist, in multiple instances in their workplace.
In his resignation letter, posted on Twitter by the state Senate, Davis said he would resign effective Nov. 19, following the election and scheduled date of interim committee meetings. Davis, who has served six terms in office, is not on the ballot after he was defeated in the Democratic Party’s June Primary.
Davis did not respond to multiple calls requesting comment.
His resignation follows public demands from Senate Pres. Stuart Adams and Davis’ colleagues in the Senate Democratic caucus that Davis resign. An independent investigation commissioned by legislative leaders determined that it was “more likely than not” that Davis invaded former intern Sonia Weglinski’s personal space, likely violating the Legislature’s Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy.
It found her allegations to be more credible than Davis’ recollections and accused him of not being forthcoming or completely honest.
“We strive to create and maintain to have a respectful and professional work environment and are committed to addressing any allegations,” Senate President Stuart Adams said in a statement about the investigation and demands that Davis resign.
Weglinski’s allegations are neither the first for Davis nor the Utah Legislature. They brought on broad condemnation from lawmakers and political groups, including the Utah Democratic Party and the Salt Lake County Democratic Party. They also ensnared campaign staff and party officials, who were accused of either knowing about the misconduct or not having procedures in place to act quickly upon becoming aware.
