#METOO COMES TO TENNESSEE: Democratic Rep. Rick Staples faces allegations, investigation of sexual misconduct.

Knoxville Democratic Rep. Rick Staples is facing disciplinary action after an internal investigation determined he violated the legislature’s sexual harassment policy, according to multiple sources aware of the inquiry.

As a result, Staples is expected to be removed from the House Ethics Committee, to which Speaker Glen Casada appointed him in January. . . .

A woman who recently interacted with Staples while visiting the legislature told the USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee the actions come after she brought forward her concerns that the lawmaker inappropriately touched her.

The woman, who is not being identified by the USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee because she is a victim of harassment, alleged that Staples grabbed and held on to her waist while standing behind her after he had made inappropriate comments about her appearance.

The woman is involved in Democratic politics in the state and said Staples had made inappropriate remarks to her on previous occasions. But she decided to move forward with a complaint most recently since she said Staples touched her inappropriately.

“My first day doing anything in politics, one of the very first things I heard was not to be alone in a room with Rick,” she said in an interview.

After the recent incident, she reported details about the encounter to House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Stewart, D-Nashville, though she said she had to follow up with his office before receiving a reply.

All this weaponized-feminism stuff that failed to bring down Trump and Kavanaugh sure is wreaking havoc in the Democratic Party. Well, except in Virginia, where the press just made the story go “poof” when it looked like it might lead to a GOP governor.

Props to the Tennessean, though, for mentioning his party affiliation right up front.