A Democratic lawmaker from Alaska who has been accused by seven women of sexual misconduct and otherwise inappropriate behavior refused to resign on Tuesday. State Rep. Dean Westlake, 57, who is recovering from heart surgery, said he sought the counsel of friends, family, native leaders, elders, and God when making his decision to remain in office amid calls for him to leave his post from leaders of the House majority and the head of the state Democratic Party. He announced his decision in a statement, and was confirmed by his staff. 'I want to once again apologize to any woman whom I have made uncomfortable with either my actions or words. I never intended to hurt anyone, but I understand now that I have. I am truly sorry for that, and I want to thank anyone who came forward. Doing so required strength and bravery,' he said.
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Defiant: State Rep. Dean Westlake, 57, an Alaska Democrat, is refusing to resign in the face of multiple accusations of sexual misconduct
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Silence breaker: Former legislative aide Olivia Garrett last week went public with claims that earlier this year, Westlake grabbed her buttocks and told her her hair 'turns him on'
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Garrett sent this letter complaining about Westlake to House leadership in March
Westlake, who is divorced, vowed to become an ally and supporter of women moving forward.
'I am committed to being better and to changing my behavior. I will learn from this experience,' Westlake stated.
His announcement came after a former legislative aide, Olivia Garrett, complained last spring to House leadership about two instances of unwelcome physical contact from the Democrat at work-related functions outside the Capitol.
Garrett decided to break her silence after she said no one informed her how the matter was handled. The Anchorage Daily News reported on Friday that six other female aides said Westlake acted inappropriately toward them or made them feel uncomfortable.
Garrett, who did not work for Westlake, told The Associated Press on Friday that she recently filed a human resources complaint against Westlake and said it was being investigated.
'These allegations have become a confidential personnel matter, and in respecting the process I cannot discuss the details,' Westlake said.
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Westlake, 57, is divorced and is currently recovering from heart surgery
Garrett initially complained last March in a letter to House Speaker Bryce Edgmon and House Majority Leader Chris Tuck detailing two alleged instances of unwanted physical contact.
In her letter, Garrett alleged that on January 16, she and Westalke were at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum when the lawmaker grabbed her in a narrow hallways and told her that her hair 'turned him on.'
Then on March 11, Garrett wrote that Westlake accosted her at a downtown art studio and grabbed her buttocks as he walked by in the dark, crowded room.
'I pushed his shoulder, but not with enough force for him to move or probably even notice since he kept moving,' she stated. 'A nearby staffer saw the incident.'
Edgmon, a Democrat from Dillingham, said he spoke with Westlake after receiving the complaint in March. Tuck, an Anchorage Democrat, declined to comment on the matter to the AP, saying it was a personnel issue.
Westlake's six other accusers recounted for the Anchorage Daily News last week how the lawmaker would give them overly long hugs, make sexual comments, ask them out and even make unwelcome physical contact.
Four of the women said they had encounters with Westlake after Garrett had filed her complaint.
One staffer at the state Capitol claimed that Westlake put his hand on her leg during a meeting in January.
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Six other former legislative aides have come forward, accusing the lawmaker of making inappropriate comments, giving lingering hugs and asking them out
A second staffer said Westlake passed a note to her boss, also a legislator, saying she looked good in the dress she had on that day.
A third aide alleged that Westlake once made a comment about her outfit and at various times called her 'baby,' 'honey' and 'sweetheart.'
Two others staffers claimed that Westlake gave them lingering hugs, and one of the women said the lawmaker also asked her to go out with him.
Another legislative aide claimed that on three occasions, Westlake made comments to her, or touched her, in ways that made her feel uncomfortable.
The Alaska Legislature recently put together a panel to recommend changes to its policy on sexual and other workplace harassment.
After Garrett went public, Westlake issued a statement saying he welcomed a review and updated sexual harassment policies.
'I firmly believe that everyone deserves a safe, healthy, and professional working environment,' he said in a press release last week. 'I sincerely apologize if an encounter with me has made anyone uncomfortable. That has certainly never been my intent.
'I welcome both the review and update to the legislature’s sexual harassment policies, as well as new training for members and staff.'
Westlake is a freshman lawmaker from the western Alaska community of Kotzebue who narrowly won the Democratic primary in 2016
Leaders of the House majority coalition on Friday called for Westlake to step down after the six other women came forward with their own allegations.
A statement from majority leaders, released by Edgmon, said the coalition, largely comprised of Democrats, takes seriously its obligation that everyone who works in the Capitol should feel safe and respected.
'In light of recent reports of inappropriate behavior related to his position in the Legislature, House leadership believes Representative Dean Westlake should resign from the office his constituents sent him to Juneau to represent,' the statement said.
The chairwoman of the state Democratic Party, Casey Steinau, said Westlake should immediately step down.
'There is no place where sexual misconduct, harassment, or sexual assault is acceptable,' Steinau said in a statement. 'Elected officials, regardless of party must be held accountable.'
Westlake is a freshman lawmaker from the western Alaska community of Kotzebue. He narrowly won the Democratic primary over incumbent state Rep. Benjamin Nageak of Barrow in August 2016.
Nageak challenged the results, claiming election workers botched the election, which Westlake won by eight votes.
Nageak won at the state court level, but the Alaska Supreme Court reversed that decision and awarded Westlake the primary election. He was unopposed in the general election.
