Democrats in the Kentucky House of Representatives vote to expel Grossberg from the caucus after reports of sexual misconduct

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Embattled state Rep. Daniel Grossberg is no longer allowed to meet with his fellow Democrats in the Kentucky House of Representatives.

“In addition to calling for State Representative Daniel Grossberg’s resignation today, the Kentucky House Democratic Caucus also voted to permanently exclude him as a caucus member,” party leaders said in a statement Friday afternoon.

“He has since been informed of this change, which previously meant a suspension.”

House Democrats voted in late July to temporarily suspend the freshman lawmaker from Louisville after the Herald-Leader reported “creepy” and “strange” messages he sent to women in Kentucky politics. They also called for a formal investigation into his conduct by the Legislative Ethics Commission, which has since voted unanimously to continue the investigation into his conduct.

The expulsion from the caucus means that the 45-year-old lawmaker, who represents the 30th House District, will not be allowed to vote on who should serve in the House Democratic leadership and will not be allowed to attend caucus meetings where politics and voting take place be discussed with party members.

Additionally, Grossberg will not have access to caucus resources, such as assisting his staff in drafting and researching bills.

House Democratic leadership also informed Grossberg in August that he had been removed from all interim committee assignments.

Also in August, the Herald-Leader reported on the experiences of three other young women in Kentucky politics who came forward with allegations of inappropriate, harassing or sexually tinged text messages or direct social media messages.

And just Friday morning, a Herald-Leader investigation revealed that Grossberg had been banned for life for inappropriately touching a dancer at Foxys Gentlemens Club in Louisville. Additionally, just two weeks earlier, he had solicited another dancer for sex and offered her up to $5,000 to live out a particular sexual fantasy, she told the newspaper.

Grossberg has denied all allegations of impropriety and dismissed growing calls for his resignation, which now include leading Kentucky Democrats Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman.