Republican Lawmaker Dan Johnson Refuses to Resign Amidst Child Molestation Allegations

An investigative report brings disturbing and detailed allegations about the Kentucky lawmaker to light.

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Leaders from both parties are calling for Republican Kentucky lawmaker Dan Johnson to resign, amidst allegations he sexually assualted a 17-year-old girl. For the time being, the self-proclaimed "Pope" of his Louisville church, where his alleged victim was a member, refuses to step down. 

On Monday, the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting (KyCIR) published an expose detailing the supremely creepy allegations against Johnson. Consider yourself warned.

According to KyCIR, back in 2013, Johnson woke one of his daughter’s friends, who had spent the night at his house after a New Year’s Eve party. The girl tells KyCIR he then proceeded to force himself on her, fondling her breasts and even going as far as to put his fingers into her vagina. She begged him to stop and tried to force him off her without waking her friend. As KyCIR reports, "He told her she’d like it. She said no, she didn't. She pleaded with him: go away, go away." Eventually, Johnson backed off, but he’s not stepping down from public office, despite bi-partisan pressure.

Johnson has denied the allegations. According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, he said, "This allegation concerning this lady, this young girl, absolutely has no merit, these are unfounded accusations, totally."

In a news conference on Tuesday, Johnson told reporters "This is an assault on all real people, there’s no perfect people and you get into office and all of sudden political hacks come against you and start accusing you after you’re in office." He also made reference to a "season" of sexual misconduct allegations, citing similar accusations against President Trump and former (yay!) Senate candidate Roy Moore. Just a hunch dude, but I don’t think sexual assault is ever in season. We’re not talking about over-the-knee boots for fuck’s sake.

Johnson is said to have frequently thrown alcohol-fueled parties like the one where the alleged assault occurred at the fellowship hall next to the Heart of Fire Church, otherwise known as the "Pope House." KyCIR says these parties featured some rather un-Christian embellishments including body shots and minimally clothed women. Politically, he’s what you might expect from a Kentucky Republican– proudly pro-gun, pro-life, and a self described "patriot."

The expose comes after a seventh-month long investigation that included over 100 interviews. Beyond sexual assault, it includes allegations of arson and false testimony.

Before he was elected to the state legislature in 2016, Johnson took to Facebook to liken President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama​ to monkeys. 

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