Pennsylvania GOP State Rep Accused of Sexual Assault

Two women have come forward with accusations that Pennsylvania State Rep. Nick Miccarelli “threatened, stalked, intimidated, or sexually assaulted them,” according to The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Caucus. The accusers—one of whom is a state official and the other a political consultant—both dated the Republican legislator at different points in 2012 and 2014. One woman said Miccarelli “brandished a gun” while he was driving more than 100 mph and threatening to kill both of them. The other accuser said he forced her to have sex with him after their relationship ended. Miccarelli denied the claims, telling a reporter, “What you are being told is absolute lies, a thousand percent lies.” He claimed he had “never laid a hand on a woman.” He also denied the sexual-assault allegations to a reporter via text message, writing: “If you choose to ignore the truth, you do so at your own peril, and I will hold you accountable.” Two state House leaders have launched an inquiry into the allegations, and both accusers are calling for Miccarelli’s resignation.