COLUMBUS, Ohio — Following multiple arrests and calls from colleagues to do so, Ohio Rep. Bob Young has announced his resignation, effective October 2.
A portion of a letter written to Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens reads: "All of the allegations that I am facing have become a distraction. I will be vigorously defending myself, and I'm looking forward to personal and legal vindication as the court process plays out. I was hopeful that this matter could be resolved before this point, but I can no longer deny the distraction that this matter has caused the Ohio House of Representatives as an institution, as well as my colleagues, with whom I serve. Therefore, out of respect for them and the Ohio legislature, I will not continue any further while these matters are pending. The business of the Ohio House must continue uninterrupted, and no one individual is more important than that business."
The announcement of Young's resignation comes one day after 34 Ohio House Republicans released a letter calling on Young, who currently represents much of southern Summit County in the 32nd District, to resign following multiple arrests over a two-month span. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a fellow Republican, has also called on Young to resign.
In late August, Young was arrested for allegedly violating a protection order that was issued following his initial July arrest on accusations of domestic violence. According to an affidavit obtained by 3News, Young used his cell phone to call someone who has a protection order against him (the name was officially redacted). The representative left as many as three voicemail messages after 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, before the person reported the activity to police.
Deputies arrested Young without incident on a charge of violating a protection order. During his court appearance last week, Young entered a not guilty plea and was ordered to wear a GPS monitoring device 24/7. Young was also issued a personal recognizance bond.
Young was previously arrested on July 7 after officers were dispatched to a residence in the City of Green for a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, officers made contact with Young's brother, who told police that the lawmaker had attempted to gain entry into his house without permission.
The brother proceeded to explain that his sister-in-law — Bob's wife — came to his residence at 2 a.m. seeking safe haven because Bob had allegedly assaulted her. He also said that Bob was attempting to make contact with his wife and children at the house, which he wasn't going to allow due to the circumstances.
Rep. Young's brother stated that after he saw Bob pull into his driveway and park, he exited the residence and stood on the front step. The brother claimed he told him that he was not welcome there and that he would not allow him into the house.
Rep. Young then allegedly lowered his shoulder and charged at his brother in an attempt to gain entry into the house. A scuffle ensued with his brother pushing him, with Bob going through a glass storm door. The brother also suffered cuts on his arms during the incident.
Bob's wife told police that the initial incident occurred at 1 a.m. at the couple's residence in Green. She told police that her husband was yelling at her friend when she stuck her hand in front of the representative's face to stop him from yelling.
Rep. Young's wife said that he proceeded to grab her arm and strike her in the right side of the face with an open hand. During the argument, she told him she was going to call 911, at which time he allegedly grabbed the phone out of her hand and threw it into the pool.
The couple's daughter also told police that while watching through a window, she observed Rep. Young strike her mom and throw her cell phone in the pool when she said she was going to call police.
Rep. Young's wife requested a temporary protection order. He was later indicted on one count of Domestic Violence and one count of Assault -- both first-degree misdemeanors.
After news of Young's arrest was first made public, Stephens, the House Speaker, publicly called for him to resign.
"I was disappointed and shocked to hear what allegedly transpired sometime after I had left the Young house," said Stephens, who was at the Young household following a fundraiser prior to the incident. "Although I believe that people are innocent until proven guilty, I asked Bob for his resignation as state representative so he can focus on his family at this time."
Young -- who has pled not guilty and declined to resign -- later released the following statement to 3News:
"Following the unfortunate events of July 7, there has been some inaccurate and unfair speculation on social media and elsewhere. This is a case that’s in the courts now, so I can’t talk about the details.
"However, I can say this: no one is above the law and that includes me. I expect to be treated in the same way as any other Summit County resident would be in a similar circumstance.
"Recently, I have undervalued Christ as a priority in my family’s life. I love my wife and my family, and they are most important to me. As a State Representative with a business, and a busy family of six, my life has been very stressful lately. On this particular evening at my home, we had some drinks and I acted poorly and said things I shouldn’t have. My behavior, while not criminal, was inappropriate and out of character. I apologize to everyone involved, including and especially my wife and children. I also apologize to my constituents.
"I take pride in serving the people of my district and will continue to serve them even as I work through these issues. I know there are better days ahead, which is why I’m voluntarily entering a counseling program to address some of the issues that led to this incident.
"I ask fair-minded people for grace to allow my family and I to deal with this privately and to reserve judgment until all the facts can be brought to light."