FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky, is now calling for the resignation of State Rep. Daniel Grossberg, D-Louisville.
It comes after extensive reporting by the Lexington Herald-Leader that paints a pattern of unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate behavior by the Louisville lawmaker.
Now, at least two previously unnamed women have come forward to share their stories publicly. Prominent trans-rights advocate and Lexington city council candidate Emma Curtis, along with Kentucky Young Democrats President Allison Wiseman, are those two individuals.
“Daniel Grossberg made me and several other women I know feel unsafe, both in terms of our physical safety and in terms of our career safety,” Curtis told Spectrum News Friday.
She detailed an interaction that happened last year inside Grossberg’s State Capitol office in Frankfort.
“He had me in his office, repeatedly pressured me to drink alcohol with him even after I told him several times that I’m sober,” Curtis said. “He then asked me invasive and inappropriate questions about my genitals, my sex life.”
Beshear and the state’s Democratic Party denounced Grossberg and called for his resignation the morning of Sept. 20.
“I want to, once again, state clearly and unequivocally that Representative Grossberg should resign,” Beshear said.
“Every individual deserves to be held accountable for their own actions — particularly those who represent Kentuckians in the halls of our Capitol. Representative Grossberg has repeatedly proven that he is unfit to serve and must resign from office,” a release from the Kentucky Democratic Party said.
A statement provided to Spectrum News from Grossberg’s attorney, Anna Whites, states, “Rep. Grossberg plans to continue to serve his constituents and do the job he was elected to do. He looks forward to a public hearing where he can rebut the false statements in the ethics complaint and media reports.”
A later statement from his attorney reads, "Again, I apologize to anyone who I have made uncomfortable. Their voices deserve to be heard. Similarly, I deserve due process so that I can respond to these allegations in the appropriate venue. I look forward to doing so, under oath, during the legislative ethics inquiry. In the meantime, I am in treatment to help reduce my impulsive behavior going forward - and I will keep my head down and continue working to serve my constituents.”
Curtis shared her reaction to the initial statement.
“Let’s be clear about something: the reason that I came forward and that others are coming forward publicly is because Representative Grossberg and Anna Whites have aggressively denied the stories of sexual abuse survivors in a way that hurts everyone,” Curtis said.
Curtis is not alone in coming forward.
Allison Wiseman also shared her story publicly.
In a statement posted on social media, Wiseman said Grossberg, who is married, would tell that her he loves her, that he has a crush on her and would say she is beautiful.
Both Curtis' and Wiseman’s experiences were first detailed in the Herald-Leader's reporting.
“It’s time,” Beshear said. “(I) had hoped that my previous comments would be heard and that he would listen to them and decide that this was what was best. Obviously, that didn’t happen, so I’m just trying to be clear today.”
“I came forward because I don’t want young girls in Kentucky thinking for a second that their safety is less valuable than an elected official's career,” Curtis said.
Beshear added should Grossberg not voluntarily step down, he would have to be impeached by the legislature to be removed.
The governor also called for stronger ethics codes for state lawmakers and stronger enforcement of them.