District 16 State Representative Scott Fetgatter spoke with the Okmulgee Times to address the controversy surrounding remarks caught on a hot mic earlier this week at the State Capitol. On
District 16 State Representative Scott Fetgatter spoke with the Okmulgee Times to address the controversy surrounding remarks caught on a hot mic earlier this week at the State Capitol. On Monday, while awaiting the start of a press conference by Gov. Kevin Stitt, State Rep. Mark McBride could be heard talking to Rep. Fetgatter. In the conversation, McBride asked Fetgatter, “So you molested this girl after Kannady?” “No,” Rep. Fetgatter said, “I was at the table and allowed it to happen.”
A short time later, Rep. Fetgatter is heard replying, “To be quite honest, I don’t even recall the incident. I don’t recall a video or …. “
The remainder of what was said was not captured.
In an interview Wednesday afternoon, Rep. Fetgatter stated a special counsel is currently investigating Rep. Chris Kannady and Rep. Kevin McDugle on allegations of inappropriate behavior toward an unnamed member of the House. Both Kannady and McDugle deny any wrongdoing.
The investigation has been under way for about three weeks.
Fetgatter himself is not being investigated, even though a blogger/activist alleges Fetgatter witnessed the incident in question.
“I have never in my 2-1/2 years serving here have seen anything that I perceived as sexual harassment,” Fetgatter said. “I have never seen a pornographic video passed around or any activity like that.
“My comment ‘I was sitting at the table and allowed it to happen’ is a direct comment based on the accusation that I was sitting at the table when the sexual assault happen and let it happen. I am quoting the accusation against Kannady and McDugle and me being a wtiness,” Fetgatter said.
The representative stated he believes the investigation should be wrapped up this week.
Fetgatter wants to assure his constituents he does not condone sexual assault of any kind.
On Tuesday, Gov. Stitt signed HB 1881 which was authored by Fetgatter. The bill directs courts to issue orders of no contact to persons sentenced for sex crimes.
A young woman in Fetgatter’s district was sexually molested for years. The person was arrested and sentenced to prison.
In her senior year of high school, the perpetrator sent her a birthday card and other correspondence by mail.
“I ran a law this year as a promise to this young lady that nobody else has to deal with a convicted person of a sex crime reaching out to their victim through mail from prison,” Fetgatter said. “We passed that bill unanimously, signed by the governor yesterday, ironically, when this broke about. So I take sexual crime very, very serious. It pains me at the thought that people think I have trivialized this type of activity, cause that was not the case, or the intent. I was simply answering a question that was directly asked of me, and my response was what this blogger has alleged that I was sitting at the table and allowed it to happen.”
Fetgatter says he is focused on getting several bills passed this session.
“I have been focused even in the midst of allegations and an investigation. I have stayed focused and true to the course that I am here to serve the people of House District 16 and I don’t allow things to distract me from that.
“I understand the seriousness of what was picked up over a hot mic and I understand people are frustrated about it and upset. But, in context, people will understand I meant no harm in what I was saying,” Fetgatter said.