Married Texas GOP state representative, 45, resigns after being accused of having sex with underage female assistant

A married GOP representative has resigned after an investigation revealed he had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 19-year-old woman on his staff.

The newly concluded investigation stems from multiple internal complaints filed last month against Bryan Slaton of Texas — one of which alleged that the 45-year-old Royse City rep had a vicious sexual encounter with the intern at his Austin apartment.

The complaints were filed by a 21-year-old legislative intern and two 19-year-old aides, one of whom claimed she was summoned to Slaton’s apartment after 10 p.m. in early April.

Her account, obtained by the Texas Tribune, alleged that Slaton then doused her with alcohol to the point where she felt dizzy and saw double—impairing her judgment for a then-unspecified sexual encounter.

However, an internal investigation that ended Saturday found that Slaton and the young staffer, identified only as Sophie A., had sex, forcing the staffer to take the emergency contraceptive Plan B after being told to keep his mouth shut by the now-resigned rep. to hold.

The Lone Star State’s five-member bipartisan committee that investigated the complaints revealed on Saturday the fruits of their internal investigation, in the form of a 16-page report and a statement from Rep. Andrew Murr, the chairman of the inquiry committee.

Murr stood before members of the House and exposed Slaton’s predatory behavior before recommending that he be the first state representative to be evicted from the body since 1927.

“Upon receiving allegations from the three separate complainants in early April, the commission immediately enlisted the assistance of former Judge Catherine Evans to conduct an independent inquiry into the matter,” Murr said.

“Judge Evans conducted this detailed investigation promptly and professionally, heard all plaintiffs and collected cooperating witnesses and documents and other evidence.”

After about three weeks of investigation, Murr said Evans presented her report to the committee — and that it was enough for the committee of three Republicans and two Democrats to vote unanimously that some form of workplace misconduct had occurred.

The group then ordered a hearing between themselves and Slaton on Thursday, with the married Republican withholding legal counsel.

After the hearing, the commission prepared an in-depth report of the findings and facts of Judge Evans’ inquiry, which a visibly moved Murr said was “undisputed and supported by independent and credible evidence.”

Shortly before Saturday’s legislative session, the commission unanimously approved the commission’s report, which Murr says “contains factual findings and legal conclusions — as well as an unprecedented recommendation for discipline.”

“To summarize the committee’s report,” Murr said, “we find that committee member Slaton engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a subordinate.”

Murr, clearly disturbed by the relaxations in the independent investigation, added: “That behavior was caused by alcohol that Representative Slaton provided to that 19-year-old subordinate.”

The Republican went on to claim that “Rep. Slaton then systematically acted to influence that subordinate and multiple witnesses and obstruct the investigation of the case,” before recommending that Slaton be fired with immediate effect.

“This committee unanimously recommends that the House discipline Representative Slaton by expelling him from a member of this body.

“The expulsion of a fellow member is a punishment we do not take lightly,” Murr added, “but to protect the integrity and dignity of this legislative body and to be accountable to everyone who works and maintains this building.” .

“The terms duty and trust, and integrity, and institutional acceptance by the people, are paramount in our recommendation for expulsion.

“Out of respect for the process and those involved, this statement will serve as our committee’s only public comment on the matter.”

At that point the pressure mounted on Royse City Republican, who last month denied the then-surfacing allegation of an affair, and has been married to his wife Sharmen for more than five years.

The couple has a young son and previously filed for divorce in April 2022. However, the couple agreed to end the divorce in November.

On Monday, the day before a scheduled vote to remove him from office, Slaton sent a letter of resignation to Governor Greg Abbott — and tried to save face by not referring to the allegations against him.

Instead, he told the governor he was looking forward to spending more time with his family.

“This is to inform the people of my Legislative District, the Governor of the State of Texas and the House of Representatives that I hereby resign my position as a member of the Legislature effective immediately,” the letter begins.

“It was an honor to represent my friends, neighbors, and the wonderful people and community of House District 2.

“They voted overwhelmingly to send me to the Capitol as their representative in two elections, and I worked daily to live up to their expectations.

“My decision today is to ensure that their expectations will continue to be met by a new representative who will also work hard for them,” Slaton continued.

“I am grateful to my many colleagues in the House who fought with me to improve the lives of all Texans, and those who, even when we couldn’t agree.

“I look forward to spending more time with my young family and will continue to find ways to serve my community and all citizens of our great state.”

Slaton has not yet issued a public statement about his resignation, which came Monday afternoon. He was not one of those on the floor of the house earlier in the day.

As for the sprawling report prepared by Judge Evans and other experts retained by the state, it detailed how Slaton invited young subordinates to his apartment near the Capitol several times before preying on Sophie A.