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Third Formal Sexual Harassment Complaint Filed Against Rep. Steve Lebsock

Cassie Tanner (left) with Samantha Walsh and Sam DeWitt at the Legislative Showdown event in 2015.
Photo courtesy of Cassie Tanner
Cassie Tanner (left) with Samantha Walsh and Sam DeWitt at the Legislative Showdown event in 2015.

A third woman has filed a formal complaint against Democratic Rep. Steve Lebsock of Thornton for sexual harassment.  Former legislative aide Cassie Tanner said a 28-page letter he gave to his fellow house members trying to defend himself and denying all allegations motivated her to do so. On Tuesday he released a YouTube video and Tanner said that was another deciding factor.

A top legal expert said Lebsock's letter was retaliatory because it released sensitive information to try to discredit the complainant. 

In November 2017  Tanner publicly accused Lebsock of unbuttoning her shirt at an annual legislative event. At the time, she said she didn’t file a complaint because she couldn’t remember what year it happened, but later found a photo from 2015 that dated the event. 

“I remembered what shirt I was wearing,” she said.

Tanner said her recollection of the date coupled with Lebsock’s continued public attention to her claims left her no choice but to file the formal complaint.

“I felt it was necessary to defend myself and show that I’m not going to be bullied or intimidated into backing off of this accusation which is very serious and true,” she said.

She released a letter addressing her decision to file the complaint on Twitter and told us she feels a weight has been lifted off her shoulders because she is standing up for herself.

Two formal complaints are still pending against Lebsock, including one filed by fellow Rep. Faith Winter. Democrats have asked him to resign and one legislator plans to introduce a resolution to force his removal from office.

This comes as the Secretary of State’s office formally approved his campaign for state treasurer to petition for ballot inclusion. He’ll have to get 1500 signatures from each of Colorado’s seven congressional districts. According to the latest campaign filings Lebsock has raised $1,025 from October to December. That money came in before our story broke Nov. 10, 2017.

Capitol Coverage is a collaborative public policy reporting project, providing news and analysis to communities across Colorado for more than a decade. Fifteen public radio stations participate in Capitol Coverage from throughout Colorado.

Copyright 2021 KUNC. To see more, visit KUNC.

Bente Birkeland
Bente Birkeland has been reporting on state legislative issues for KUNC and Rocky Mountain Community Radio since 2006. Originally, from Minnesota, Bente likes to hike and ski in her spare time. She keeps track of state politics throughout the year but is especially busy during the annual legislative session from January through early May.