Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

TexasTowelie

(112,131 posts)
Thu Apr 29, 2021, 07:33 AM Apr 2021

Legislative staffer testifies at ethics committee investigating Idaho lawmaker accused of rape

She told them she was terrified to testify.

From behind three black curtains erected to attempt to protect her identity, she described what led up to the alleged sexual assault that put Wednesday’s Ethics and House Policy Committee hearing at the Capitol into motion.

And when she was allowed to be dismissed from Lincoln Auditorium after questioning, her screams reverberated through the marble halls of the Idaho Statehouse as onlookers pursued her.

The 19-year-old legislative staffer, identified by the committee only as Jane Doe, was subpoenaed to publicly testify — to tell her version of events — of the night of March 9.

She says she met Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger, R-Lewiston, that night for dinner. They went back to his apartment. She told police he held her down and forced her to perform oral sex.

Read more: https://idahocapitalsun.com/2021/04/28/ethics-hearing-underway-for-idaho-legislator-accused-of-sexual-assault/

Note - a prior article at the same site indicates that the staffer was compelled to testify by subpoena.


Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger, R-Lewiston (left), and his attorney, Edward Dindinger, are seated in the Lincoln Auditorium at the Idaho Capitol before the House Ethics Committee hearing on Wednesday. (Kelcie Moseley-Morris/Idaho Capital Sun).

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Legislative staffer testifies at ethics committee investigating Idaho lawmaker accused of rape (Original Post) TexasTowelie Apr 2021 OP
Don't know the dude, and I'm known as a guy that knows everyone in town. I've been told brewens Apr 2021 #1
WTH? tanyev Apr 2021 #2
Exactly... 2naSalit Apr 2021 #3
horrible way to conduct a hearing. riversedge Apr 2021 #4
It gets worse jmowreader May 2021 #5

brewens

(13,574 posts)
1. Don't know the dude, and I'm known as a guy that knows everyone in town. I've been told
Thu Apr 29, 2021, 08:22 AM
Apr 2021

I should run for mayor. I went to school with our other rep Mike Kingsley. His nickname was "Pugsley" when he was a kid. I'll have to ask my buddy that runs sports pools all over town. I actually don't know "everybody", but he does.

tanyev

(42,552 posts)
2. WTH?
Thu Apr 29, 2021, 08:57 AM
Apr 2021
And when she was allowed to be dismissed from Lincoln Auditorium after questioning, her screams reverberated through the marble halls of the Idaho Statehouse as onlookers pursued her.

They put up curtains to protect her when testifying but didn't make any provision to help her leave the building? That's messed up.

2naSalit

(86,567 posts)
3. Exactly...
Thu Apr 29, 2021, 09:12 AM
Apr 2021

That's Idaho, very close to that place in The Handmaid's Tale when it comes to respecting women and their safety. They'll come up with some excuse to do nothing to the perp because, white male member of the cult.

jmowreader

(50,555 posts)
5. It gets worse
Sun May 23, 2021, 07:04 AM
May 2021

Representative Priscilla Giddings (White Bird - it's a town of less than 100 people that is near the steepest road in Idaho) doxxed the victim during the hearing, and Rep. Heather Scott (Blanchard) attempted to charge her with filing a false police report.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Idaho»Legislative staffer testi...