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Kentucky lawmaker kills himself amid sexual misconduct investigation

Kentucky state Rep. Dan Johnson has committed suicide amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

  • Kentucky state Rep. Dan Johnson has committed suicide amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
  • Johnson is alleged to have sexually violated a 17-year-old girl during his daughter's sleep-over party.
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Kentucky state Rep. Dan Johnson has committed suicide amid allegations of sexual misconduct, WDRB reported Wednesday.

Johnson's body, along with a gun, was reportedly found on a bridge in Mt. Washington, about 55 miles southwest of the capital city Frankfort.

Johnson previously refused to resign after he was accused of waking up his daughter's 17-year-old friend during a sleepover in 2013, and fondling her underneath her clothes.

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The victim reportedly sent him a Facebook message following the alleged incident, according to the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting:

Johnson claimed he sent a Facebook message to the woman that said he couldn't remember what took place that New Year's night because he was "drugged" at a bar, the Courier-Journal reported. He later said that he did remember the night in question; however, denied having entering the girl's room.

Following the allegations, he was encouraged by Democrats and Republicans to resign, the Courier-Journal said.

Johnson reportedly posted a now-removed message on his Facebook denying the allegations on Wednesday:

Johnson, a self-described "pope" of his church's congregation and a Republican, said in multiple statements that the allegations were false and politically motivated. He also suggested that the accuser, now 21-years-old, supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election and was against his conservative beliefs, the Courier-Journal reported.

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During a press conference at his church, Johnson led the choir in hymns before issuing a statement.

"I don't want to blast this girl, I have a lot of compassion for her," Johnson said, according to the Courier-Journal. "I'm very sorrowful that she's in this dark place in her life."

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