BY MICHON LINDSTROM KENTUCKY

Jeff Hoover

FRANKFORT, Ky. – State Rep. Jeff Hoover, R-Jamestown, will not be seeking re-election in 2020. Hoover was involved in a secret sexual harassment settlement with a legislative staffer causing him to step down as speaker in 2018.

Hoover along with three other lawmakers paid a secret $110,000 settlement to Marisa Espinosa in 2017 for sexual harassment. However, KyCIR and KPR obtained a sealed deposition from Espinosa revealing details of the harassment in which she says she dealt with daily touching by the former House Speaker, and says she was sexually assaulted by Hoover more than 50 times during her employment.

Hoover announced his decision to not seek re-election to WSJR radio in a statement. “After much thought and prayer for several months, and discussion with my family, I have decided to not seek re-election as State Representative in 2020,” the statement read.

“Someone once said as they pondered a different direction in their life, ‘you will just know when it is time.’ Now is time for me to step aside as State Representative and devote my time to my law practice and business interests, and hopefully be of service to others in different ways.”

Hoover has served in the House since 1997.