Bryan Slaton, who served as a Republican Texas state representative, resigned Monday after a report was released Saturday linking him to sexual misconduct with a 19-year-old.
“This is to inform the people of my legislative district, The Governor of the State of Texas, and the House of Representatives, that I hereby resign my position as a member of the legislature effective immediately,” said a statement from Slaton, who describes himself as a “conservative Christian” on Twitter.
According to the Committee on General Investigating report, an investigation into Slaton, 45, was initiated after complaints were made by two 19-year-olds and a 21-year-old who worked as interns or legislative aides. The Committee unanimously recommended that he be expelled from the legislature.
“Emily J. said that when they arrived, Slaton offered alcoholic beverages to her and Sophie A., both of whom are 19 years old,” said a portion of the report. “Emily J. stated that Slaton made a Yeti cup full of rum and Coke for Sophie A. and that after Sophie A. began to drink it, Sophie A. stated it was ‘too strong.’ Slaton took the alcoholic drink back, drank a portion of it, diluted it with more Coke and returned the alcoholic drink back to Sophie A. Emily J. recalls Slaton also drinking rum and Cokes that evening.”
He was also found to have had inappropriate sexual contact with a 19-year-old aide.
Slaton is from Mineola Texas, with “values and principles that resemble (represent) the great people of East Texas,” according to his website. “These values were formed as he grew up regularly participating in church and family gatherings.”
Per the site, he attended Ouachita Baptist University, where he earned a double major in Youth Ministry and Speech Communication. He then earned a Masters of Divinity with Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and served in the ministry as a Youth and Family Minister for 13 years.
Additionally, the site said Slaton graduated from The University of North Texas, where he earned a Bachelor degree in Business Administration Accounting and owns a company called Slaton Financial Services.
Slaton and his wife, Sharmen, have a son named Maximus. They attend Fellowship Church in Royse City.
Previously, Slaton filed HB 4129, legislation that bans “erotic performances, including drag shows, in the presence of kids,” and as of Tuesday, he still had a post about it pinned to his Twitter page.
“The State has a duty to protect kids from being sexually exploited, and HB 4129 is the most comprehensive bill to stop the sexualization of kids by these performances,” he said.
Slaton resigned before the State House could vote to expel him. NBC DFW reported Tuesday that State Representatives unanimously voted to expel him from the Texas House by a vote of 147-0.
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