COLUMBUS, Ohio — Summit County state Rep. Bob Young has been removed from his leadership position in the Ohio House of Representatives following his second arrest in less than two months.
A spokesperson for the House Republican Party confirms to 3News that Speaker Jason Stephens has replaced Young as chair of the Pensions Committee. The body's official webpage shows Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) has assumed the role, with Young no longer even being listed as a member.
Young was first arrested in July amid accusations of domestic violence against his wife. The 41-year-old allegedly slapped her in the face and threw her cell phone into a pool before she went to his brother's house for her safety, at which time the lawmaker showed up and reportedly assaulted his brother.
Following the incident, Stephens called for his fellow Republican to resign, saying he "was disappointed and shocked to hear what allegedly transpired" after he had left the Youngs' home following a fundraiser. Young refused to leave, but this past Monday was taken into custody again on charges of violating a protection order. Police say he attempted to call someone he was not allowed to have contact with three times, and while a name was not given, WKYC had previously learned Young's wife and brother had both sought protection against him.
Stephens' office says the speaker "stands by" his desire for Young to step down in the wake of the latest arrest, and on Wednesday two Summit County Democratic representatives asked for Young to be fired as Pensions Committee chair. Reps. Tavia Galonski and Casey Weinstein said Young's "alleged pattern of continued behavior directly conflicts with the values we uphold as elected officials and Ohioans," and also noted the committee position comes with a $9,000 per year salary increase.
Young, who represents much of southern Summit County as part of Ohio's 32nd House District, was in Barberton Municipal Court Wednesday and has pleaded not guilty in both cases. He appeared again in court Thursday for a pretrial hearing. The date of Young's jury trial was set for October 24.
You can watch Young's pretrial hearing below.