GOP ‘Young Gun’ Indicted For Sexual Assault

by Sandi Behrns

Tom Ganley, auto dealer and GOP candidate for Ohio’s 13th District in the last election, has been indicted on 7 counts. From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

Ganley, 68, faces three felony charges of gross sexual imposition, and single counts of kidnapping, abduction, solicitation, and menacing by stalking, according to Ryan Miday, a spokesman for County Prosecutor Bill Mason.

A county grand jury returned the indictments late Tuesday, nearly six months after the woman filed a lawsuit accusing Ganley of grabbing her from behind, wrapping his arms around her, kissing her and reaching into her pants during a meeting at one of his dealerships.

Ganley, for those who may not recall, was one of the “Young Guns” the GOP pushed during the midterms to bring fresh blood to the House. (Somewhat strange at the age of 68, but perhaps for the GOP that is young.) These charges came to light during the run-up to that election. Rather than abandon Ganley, the GOP stuck by him and tacitly endorsed his attempts to dismiss the victim and her accusations as a partisan attack.

Attorneys for Ganley  say the woman is trying to extort money from their wealthy client and damage his chance to win a congressional election against Copley Township Democratic Rep. Betty Sutton.

This, despite the fact that the woman originally met Ganley at a Tea Party rally, and is a staunch anti-choice conservative. Fortunately, Ganley lost the election.

By: Sandi Behrns

Sandi Behrns is a noted policy nerd, new media & web developer, and consultant to progressive organizations and campaigns. She is a senior contributor to Liberaland, and the Executive Editor of Progressive Congress News.