Ohio legislator accused of domestic violence, calls for resignation

Columbus, Ohio (WCMH) — An Ohio lawmaker was accused of domestic violence and asked to resign.

Rep. Robert Young, representing Northeast Ohio’s 32nd District, just south of Akron, Summit County, was charged Friday with two first-degree misdemeanor counts of domestic violence and a fourth-degree felony count of obstructing public service. rice field.

Young appeared in court on Saturday, was given $5,000 bail, and was ordered not to contact the alleged victim, according to Barberton City Court’s online records.

Court records allege that Young “deliberately caused or attempted to cause physical harm to a victim, family member, or household member,” under the domestic violence charge. The harassment charges allege that Young tampered with or damaged communications equipment used by emergency services.

Ohio House Speaker Jason Stevens said he was at Young’s home after a fundraiser on July 6, the day before his arrest warrant was issued, but does not know what happened. It says.

“Last week I attended his fundraiser and then went to his house with friends and family,” Stevens said in an email. “A few hours later, I left his house and spent the night at a local hotel.”

Stevens called on Young to resign from the Ohio House of Representatives to focus on his family.

“I believe people are innocent until proven guilty, but at this time I have asked Bob to resign from the state legislature so he can focus on his family,” Stevens said.

The fundraiser was held Thursday at the Tudor House in Portage Lakes, New Franklin, according to an announcement on Young’s Facebook page.

Young, a 41-year-old Republican, was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2020, initially representing the 36th district before being moved to the 32nd due to redistricting. his biography He is married and has four children, according to the Ohio House of Representatives website.