A Texas lawmaker is accused of conducting an 'inappropriate relationship' with his intern, who is below the legal drinking age, according to a complaint filed against him.
Representative Bryan Slaton, a Texas Republican, is being investigated for an alleged meeting with his intern at his Austin apartment last weekend.
Slaton, who is 45 and married with two children, allegedly called the intern after 10pm on March 31 and invited her to his Austin condo.
The incident was initially reported to the state House General Investigating Committee by a legislative staffer. It was also corroborated by another source at the Capitol with direct knowledge of the incident, according to the Texas Tribune.
The outlet also reported that Slaton drank alcohol with the intern, who is under 21.
Slaton has been married to his current wife, Sharmen, since 2017. The pair filed for divorce in April of 2022, but agreed to cease divorce proceedings last November.
Texas House Representative Bryan Slaton has been accused of plying an underage intern with alcohol and inviting her back to his Austin condo last weekend
Slaton is a married father of two. He and his wife, Sharmen, have been married since 2017 and filed to divorce last year before halting proceedings in November
Aside from his role as a legislator, Slaton is, among other things, a youth pastor and graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.Following the incident, Slaton allegedly showed the intern fake emails that purported to have information about the incident as something of a loyalty test, according to the complaint.
After presenting the young woman with the emails, Slaton allegedly told her not to speak with anyone about the meeting.
Slaton has since retained the services of criminal defense attorney Patrick Short, who issued a statement Monday morning confirming his representation of Slaton.
'We are aware of outrageous claims circulating online by second-tier media that make false claims against Representative Slaton. As a result, he had been advised to forward all inquiries in this matter - including any that may relate to a possible complaint - to his legal counsel,' it read.
A representative for the intern said she had been advised not to comment by the House committee.
In a statement, House Speaker Dade Phelan - also a Republican - said that his office would be looking into the matter,
'The Texas House does not tolerate misconduct or other inappropriate behaviors and takes all allegations related to these issues seriously. I expect this matter to be addressed in a swift and thorough manner under the rules governing our chamber for the 88th Legislature and all applicable standards of conduct,' he said.
Slaton is known throughout the Capitol as a conservative rabble rouser. In his 2021 House race, he ousted a longtime Republican incumbent, who Slaton called too moderate.
Notably, Slaton missed last Thursday's legislative session, one of the most important days of the year, because the House was debating the budget.
His absence was especially odd because the lawmaker had proposed 27 amendments to the budget.
Last year, he called for a blanket ban on minors at drag shows, arguing that children need to be protected from 'perverted adults.'
Earlier this year, the representative also filed a bill that would allow for a referendum on Texas secession from the United States during the state's next general election.
The married father of two has been called on to resign by several members of his caucus since news broke of his alleged misdeeds
Aside from his role as a legislator, Slaton is, among other things, a youth pastor and graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
The past few days in the Texas House, screams of everything that’s wrong with a small segment of its elected officials.
Unfortunately calling the behavior of @BryanForHD2 “inappropriate” is a gross understatement.
What’s most troubling about the events of this story is that his…
— Steve Toth (@Toth_4_Texas) April 11, 2023
A campaign poster for Slaton shows off his wife, Sharmen, and son, Maximus
Two state lawmakers have already called for Slaton's resignation in the aftermath of the complaint about him surfacing.
State representative Steve Toth (R), wrote on Twitter Tuesday morning: 'The past few days in the Texas House, screams of everything that's wrong with a small segment of its elected officials. Unfortunately calling the behavior of @BryanforHD2 'inappropriate' is a gross understatement.'
'He needs to resign.'
Toth went on to tell the Texas Tribune that Slaton's actions were humiliating to his wife, and said he should step down in order to take care of his family.
Last Friday, before news of the allegations against Slaton had broken, Representative Briscoe Cain (R), also said Slaton should step down - though he did not name the embattled lawmaker in his tweet.
'I am absolutely furious at a republican whom I believe to be a sexual predator,' wrote Cain. 'I've never been to ticked off at another legislator.'
Cain later confirmed he was referring to Slaton.
Both Cain and Toth are themselves conservatives, who are usually aligned with Slaton's political positions.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pa3IpbCmmZmhe6S7ja6iaKaVrMBwrdGtoJyklWJ%2BcoWVamxsa1%2BCrrO%2ByJ6bZoyVra60ecuarqaZm5q%2FbrXNmqepqp%2Blv6qt055kq52clsGqu82sn6KoXWd%2BbrXNrZyrpl6dwa64