After announcing his support to renew a cap-and-trade climate program in California, a conservative group is accusing Assemblyman Chad Mayes of having an affair and are demanding he resign.
Joseph Turner published a post on the American Children First website where proclaims that Mayes is a “terrible leader” and “does not represent Republican values and principles.”
The post also included a letter sent to the Assembly from the estranged husband of Kristin Olsen who was formerly the Assembly Republican Leader prior to Mayes. The letter asks the Assembly to investigate if either Mayes or Olsen used state resources to conceal their relationship.
“Specifically, I believe that Sergeants, staff, travel within the state, lodging, per diem, etc. were used at times by Assembly Member Mayes to foster and conceal this relationship from the public,” he wrote. “As you know, it is the obligation of every legislative member to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars, and I believe the committee will uncover that Mayes misused these funds, and acted unethically and in a manner unbecoming of a member of the California State Assembly.”
The letter was withdrawn the same day by Olsen, reports the Sacramento Bee.
“I submitted the request in April after just learning of my wife’s activities. It was in a moment of anger. I quickly realized that was the wrong course of action to take,” he told the newspaper. “I’ve been advised by both my attorney and my pastor not to comment about Kristin and Chad’s activities and relationship.
Conservative website accuses Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes of love affair with GOP colleague https://t.co/BCsCbbjnWy pic.twitter.com/1RjRFhXoLz
— Jeff Horseman (@JeffHorseman) July 19, 2017
Olsen filed for divorce from her husband in April 2016. Mayes filed for divorce from his wife last month.
Turner said he published the letter from Olsen because he hopes that it results in Mayes losing his leadership post.
“We call upon Mayes to resign his leadership position so that another member with real principles and conservative values can lead the party,” he wrote. “In the absence of his resignation, we call upon the Assembly Republican Caucus to remove Mayes immediately.”
He also suggested that Democrats may have used the allegation of the affair to pressure Mayes into supporting the climate bill.
Change agents like you have paved the way for others seeking to make our world a better place to live. Thank you for your friendship. https://t.co/MpOhkb9vE4
— Asm. Chad Mayes (@ChadMayesCA) July 18, 2017
Mayes’ chief of staff, Joseph Justin declined to comment on the allegation of an affair to the Desert Sun, saying, “This is a private matter.”
