Ohio Republican sanctioned for sexual misconduct allegations, asked to resign

Ohio state Rep. Rodney Creech (R-West Alexandria) has been sanctioned by the Ohio House of Representatives and asked to resign after a state investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against a teenager.

According to The Columbus Dispatch, the allegations stem from a teenage family member of Creech, who claimed that he inappropriately touched her and climbed into her bed with an erection while only wearing his underwear. The teen told her mother about the allegations in May 2023, but no criminal charges were brought by the Preble County Sheriff’s Department after it was reportedly made aware that summer.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (OBI) conducted its own inquiry into Creech’s allegations, and documents obtained by Dayton Daily News found that Preble County Sheriff Mike Simpson recused himself from the case, citing a conflict of interest. Simpson has apparently known Creech for years, dating back to when the lawmaker served as a Preble County Commissioner from 2015-20.

The BCI documents also reportedly show that Creech admitted to climbing into the minor’s bed in his underwear but denied the abuse allegations.

In response to the allegations leaking to the press, Creech likened himself to President Donald Trump in a statement, who himself was found liable of sexual abuse in a court of law.

“These allegations have been found to be demonstrably false, and I have already begun pursuing legal action against those who are pushing this filth,” Creech said in a statement. “Like President Trump, I am no stranger to false media attacks.”

On Tuesday, Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) stripped Creech of his committee assignments, including his chairmanship of the House Agriculture Committee.

“(I) told him that this, on its face, was very serious and I did not think that he could fill out his duties effectively as a legislator,” Huffman reportedly said. “Under the circumstances, I think it would be very difficult for him to do that, so I did ask him to consider resigning.”

Creech also claims that the allegations are being used in a political nature to taint his state Senate run, which he announced on Monday.