DENVER — A second complaint has been filed with Colorado Speaker of the House Crisanta Duran regarding Rep. Paul Rosenthal.
The first complaint against Rosenthal, D-Denver, was filed Wednesday by Thomas Cavaness of Boulder.
The confidential email was sent to Duran on Thursday night.
The complaint was written by Rosenthal’s former roommate, Dan, whose last name is being protected to respect his privacy.
Dan, who is openly gay like Rosenthal, accuses Rosenthal of making several inappropriate remarks to him while they were roommates in 2007 and 2008.
Dan also accuses Rosenthal of appearing in his room unannounced while he was sleeping.
“I am writing this email for I no longer feel that I can remain quiet,” Dan wrote to Duran. “I was extremely uncomfortable with this activity.”
The email notably contains several misspellings, but Dan has been confirmed as former roommate. Dan’s full name was included in the email to Duran.
Rosenthal late Thursday referred all comments to this attorney, Harvey Steinberg.
“The only thing more ludicrous than this complaint is that FOX31 would report it,” Steinberg said.
The news comes on a night in which two Republican senators were accused of harassment.
State Sens. Randy Baumgardner and Jack Tate reportedly have been inappropriate conduct with aides and interns.
Baumgardner is accused of pressuring a female aide to drink with him and Tate has been accused of providing advice to an 18-year-old regarding “how to move up in the world.”
“We take every allegation of harassment or misconduct seriously,” Senate President Kevin Grantham said. “We ask those who feel they have been victims of harassment or inappropriate behavior at the General Assembly to file an official complaint, in confidence that their anonymity and rights will be protected.
“Going forward, Senate Republican leaders cannot and will not be responding to unsubstantiated or anonymous allegations against members appearing in the press, which the existing complaint process is designed to handle.
“This process exists to protect confidentiality, respect the rights of both accuser and accused, rigorously review the facts, give a fair hearing to all sides, and impose penalties proportionate to any confirmed offense.
“To handle these matters in any other way contradicts the basic tenants of fairness, justice, and due process for which America is known.”
The news was first reported by KUNC.