Pennsylvania State Representative Brian Ellis has resigned, effective immediately.
Ellis- of Butler- who represented the state’s 11th House district- submitted a letter of resignation to the speaker of the house on Monday.
In the letter, Ellis said it was “in the best interests of his family, the residents of the 11th district and his own health that he step down.”
Ellis’ resignation comes after he was publicly accused in January of sexually assaulting a woman several years ago. He has not been charged. The Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office is reportedly investigating the claims.
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State Rep. Brian Ellis has not personally spoken publicly since the accusations were made against him, but his lawyer has released two statements- one of which was released Monday following his resignation.
Erik Anderson, from the law firm Myers Brier & Kelly out of Harrisburg, released a statement on behalf of Ellis stating:
“It has been a truly remarkable experience and honor to serve my hometown. I, along with the unyielding help and support of my family and staff, hope that we have been able to effectively serve all of you and help many of you. Butler will always remain my home, and I look forward to returning home.”
Last week, Ellis’ lawyer released a statement calling the accusations “just plain false” after Ellis’ accuser reportedly filed a formal complaint with the Pennsylvania House of Representatives calling for his removal from office.
Ellis- of Butler Township- has taken leave for each legislative session since the sexual assault accusations were first made public in January. He has not cast a vote or been available in any of his offices.
The Philadelphia Inquirer- which was the first publication to report the accusations against Ellis back in January- published a report last week offering more details into the alleged assault.
The victim said it occurred after she went to a Harrisburg bar with a friend in 2015 and had fewer than two drinks. The next morning she claims she woke up with a head injury and naked in Ellis’ bed. That’s when, she claims, Ellis told her the two had sex.
