Kentucky's former House speaker has agreed that he violated state ethics laws by behaving in an "inappropriate" way toward a woman who once worked for the House Republican Caucus. The woman's allegations previously led to Jeff Hoover's signing of a secret sexual harassment settlement last year.
Hoover agreed to admit the violation as part of an agreement before the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission. It requires him to pay a $1,000 fine and admit he violated the ethics code. The commission would not recommend that he be censured or expelled from the House of Representatives.
The commission approved the settlement Tuesday morning after reviewing some evidence, including copies of text messages exchanged between Hoover and the woman.
A lawyer for the woman indicated she agrees a settlement is appropriate.
