PORTLAND — An Oregon state senator has filed a formal complaint against a male senator over allegations of sexual harassment and is demanding his expulsion from the Oregon Senate.
In a complaint filed Wednesday, Sen. Sara Gelser says Sen. Jeff Kruse touched her breasts, put his hand on her thigh, kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear so closely that he left her ear wet.
The Corvallis Democrat says at least 15 other women have come forward about the Roseburg Republican.
Senate President Peter Courtney has removed Kruse from his committee assignments and now says he will appoint an independent investigator.
Kruse has denied any impropriety. He didn’t return a phone message left Wednesday.
