Kentucky gets its very own Bob Filner

Meet Rep. John A. Arnold, Jr., a Democrat from Kentucky.  He's being accused of sexual harassment and assault by female staffers working in the state capitol:

(Image: Jonathan Meador/WFPL News)

Via WFPL:

Two longtime Kentucky statehouse employees have filed ethics complaints against Democratic state Rep. John A. Arnold Jr., alleging a pattern of sexual assault and harassment dating back to early 2010.

Cassaundra Cooper and Yolanda Costner, in separate complaints, allege Arnold inappropriately touched them and made lewd and vulgar comments in numerous incidents over several years. Arnold  is a veteran legislator from Sturgis. [...]

Arnold, 68, is a retired western Kentucky chiropractor who has served in the House since 1995. When reached for comment on Wednesday, Arnold said: "I've been advised not to comment."

In her complaint, Cooper alleges that "people responsible for establishing the laws" failed to take her sexual harassment claims against Arnold seriously.

"I feel like the people that I put my trust in to provide me a safe work environment have let me down and they continue let me down," she wrote in the complaint.

The women said they brought these allegations to members of the Legislative Research Commission, high-ranking Democratic representatives and a member of the Kentucky State Police. [...]

In March 2010, Arnold allegedly grabbed Costner's underwear while they walked up the steps of the state Capitol's Annex, according to the complaint. She claims state Rep. Reginald Meeks witnessed the incident and intervened. [...]

Another alleged encounter took place this year on Feb. 14—Valentine's Day. Cooper claims she was in Thompson’s office and bent over to pick up a package of bottled water when Arnold allegedly hit her on her buttocks.