Utah House Majority Leader Kevin Garn (R) has resigned, following revelations that he took a nude hot tub in 1985 with a 15-year-old employee — and then paid her $150,000 several years later to keep quiet.
As we reported, the woman, Cheryl Maher, had begun contacting reporters about the incident in recent weeks, prompting Garn to call a press conference last Thursday denying that any “physical contact” had been made.
But on Saturday, Garn announced that he will step down in a letter of resignation to House Speaker David Clark (R):
Dear Speaker Clark,
Please accept this as my official resignation as Representative from the 16th House District to the Utah State Legislature effective immediately.
After discussing this matter with my family, I have decided that it is in the best interests of them, my colleagues and the people of Utah. As you know, it is a great honor to serve in the State Legislature. In fact, it has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am proud of what I accomplished. I am proud to have worked with so many wonderful and talented public servants. I wish to thank those who entrusted me with this responsibility.
I thank you for your steady leadership and I sincerely apologize for becoming a distraction to the conclusion of an otherwise remarkable legislative session. I hope that my public service has changed Utah for the better.
Respectfully,
Rep. Kevin Garn
