Republican Missouri state Rep. Rick Roeber, a self-described “Christian Conservative,” has been expelled from the state Congress after a House committee investigation found that he sexually and physically abused his children.
Roeber was removed from office, in a near-unanimous vote and for only the second time in its history, by a vote of 153 in favor to one present, Kansascity.com reports.
“The bipartisan committee released its report on Monday,” the news outlet reported. “It found credible the testimony from Roeber’s ex-wife and three of his four now-adult children: that years ago, an alcoholic Roeber sexually abused two of his children and physically abused all four, frequently beating them with a belt, and at one point drowning several puppies.”
Roeber, whom the committee described as “combative” and “defiant” in his testimony, accosted Democratic committee members during the investigation to accuse them of orchestrating a political hit against him, Fitzwater said. Roeber has also accused his ex-wife and children of fabricating the claims because “all my children are Democrats,” according to the report.
House Speaker Rob Vescovo of Arnold, a Republican, delivered a rare and emotional floor speech supporting expulsion.
“We all understand that the one safe place, the unconditional place, that is the safety net for our children, is their home,” he said. “All that this investigation found was that gentleman from the 34th — the man from the 34th — did everything the opposite of creating that home life.”
The committee findings and expulsion are likely to increase pressure on officials to criminally prosecute Roeber.
State prosecutors were alerted this month before the report was released as Roeber still had contact with a minor child.
You can read the entire report here.
