The City of Cleveland is not going to charge a state lawmaker for allegedly stalking another Democratic legislator.
The city鈥檚 prosecutor鈥檚 office said Democratic Rep. Elliot Forhan (D-South Euclid) is not being charged because police asked for but did not receive evidence of the crime alleged against him.
Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) had accused Forhan of coming to her home, uninvited, after dark in November. She also alleged someone who resembled Forhan slowly drove down her street, past her home.
Forhan said there鈥檚 no evidence of him stalking Brent because he didn鈥檛 do it.
鈥淚鈥檝e always known that the claims had no merit. I鈥檝e always known that there could be no video or letter because I didn鈥檛 do any of that,鈥� Forhan said.
Attempts to reach Brent for her side of the story were unsuccessful.
Brent鈥檚 allegations are not the only ones Forhan is facing.
His access to his office and other lawmakers on Capitol Square have been revoked. Legislative leaders have ordered a state investigation into Forhan鈥檚 behavior after a report released by House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) accused him of a 鈥減attern of harassment, hostility, and intimidation of colleagues and staff.鈥�
The report came after Forhan, who has shared many pro-Palestinian videos on social media and also represents the largest Jewish community in the state, was asked to remove an Israeli flag he put up outside his office. Forhan's office is next to the office of a lawmaker who is Muslim.
Forhan denied the allegations that he's behaved inappropriately or has harrassed anyone.
鈥淩usso鈥檚 memo was and is a smear on me. Without the release of Russo鈥檚 memo, would my other colleague [Brent] made the report that she made? I don鈥檛 know but candidly, I doubt it,鈥� Forhan said.
Forhan said the allegations are unfairly hurting his credibility. He also said he鈥檚 made it clear to House leaders that he wants his Statehouse privileges restored.
鈥淚 need to get the truth out and set the record straight because frankly, the public deserves honesty,鈥� Forhan said.
Forhan isn鈥檛 ruling out taking court action against the state but added he really just wants to be able to get back to work for the people he serves.