BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho lawmaker who publicized the name of a 19-year-old intern who accused another state lawmaker of rape will face a legislative ethics hearing over her actions next month.
The House Ethics and Policy Committee found probable cause that Rep. Priscilla Giddings, a Republican from the tiny town of White Bird, engaged in “conduct unbecoming a representative, which is detrimental to the integrity of the House as a legislative body,” the committee announced Tuesday.
The finding came after two formal complaints — including one signed by a bipartisan group of roughly two dozen lawmakers — were filed, alleging Giddings threatened the intern’s privacy and safety by sharing her identity and that the lawmaker tried to mislead the ethics committee when asked about it under oath.
Giddings faced criticism and complaints this year after sharing links to a far-right blog post that included the intern’s name, photo and details about her life with thousands of people in a newsletter and on social media.
Giddings did not immediately respond to a phone message and email from The Associated Press requesting comment. On Facebook, she claimed a political rival was pushing for the ethics hearing as a form of “dirty politics.”
“As a decorated Air Force officer and a recognized women’s advocate, I take a backseat to no one in standing up for the rights of victims,” Giddings wrote.
The intern had reported to police and legislative leaders that then-Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger, a Republican from Lewiston, had raped her after they went out to dinner.
Von Ehlinger has denied any wrongdoing and said the sexual contact was consensual. An ethics committee found he engaged in “conduct unbecoming” a lawmaker, and he resigned before the full House could vote on whether to remove him from office.
The Ada County prosecutor’s office told the AP last week that police were still investigating the allegation against von Ehlinger.
The young woman was repeatedly harassed after she reported the allegation. Rep. Heather Scott, a Republican from Blanchard, sought a copy of the police report and made inquiries into how people who make rape allegations could themselves be charged with a crime. Giddings made disparaging remarks about the woman in a newsletter to constituents that included the links to the blog post with identifying details. Giddings also shared the post on her social media page that has thousands of followers.
Members of a far-right anti-government group also tried to follow and harass the woman after she was called to testify in von Ehlinger’s ethics hearing.
