It sucks to be Oklahoma state Senator Ralph Shortey right now.
In a short, single-page, one paragraph letter submitted to the Governor Mary Fallin yesterday afternoon, the “family values” Republican said he resigning effective immediately, saying he recognizes the need for the senate to carry on its business “without distraction.”
The “distraction,” of course, is the fact that Shortey was discovered hooking up in a Super 8 motel room with a 16-year-old boy who he had offered cash for “sexual stuff.” Police were first tipped off by concerned relatives of the boy.
35-year-old Shortley, a married father of three, has since been charged with engaging in child prostitution, engaging in prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church, and transporting a minor for prostitution. He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.
How about we take this to the next level?
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After handing in his resignation letter, Shortey gave the following statement to the media:
Earlier today, I submitted my resignation, effective immediately, to the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, as well as to Gov. Mary Fallin. I thank the constituents of Senate District 44 for the opportunity they provided to serve. Because I take that responsibility seriously, I recognize that the charges against me are a distraction to their interests and the remaining legislative session, which should serve all Oklahomans. My resignation is evidence of my respect for public service and the duties of our elected officials. I ask respect for the privacy of my family–my wife and four daughters–as I defend myself of these charges.
Related: A Brief History Of Antigay Politicians Caught Doing Very Gay Things In Public Restrooms
Giancarlo85
I hope he serves 25 years. Time to start holding people accountable. Trump is next for prison!
Giandorko86
And you said Hillary was going to win the against president Trump too. Remember how rude and obnoxious you were to anybody that had an opinion other than yours? I told you so!! Hahaha
ingyaom
We’ll see how long DJT lasts.
yesfap
I get why you’d want to shame him about being “family values” and caught with a dude- but “gay prostitution scandal” is a bit sensationalist, no? It wasn’t really “gay prostitution”, it was an adult male who offered money to an underage (but still, 16) male. Sometimes these sorts of headlines can come back to haunt us.
Juanjo
That is a comment which makes no sense. The young man was 16 or 17 [I have seen both ages listed] and thus under Oklahoma law he was NOT underage – he was old enough to consent to sex with another adult. However this was a sexual encounter based upon a financial transaction which is the classic definition of prostitution. In fact this was apparently not the first such encounter between the two people involved. So yes, it is a gay prostitution scandal.
DMRX
I think you should check a dictionary for the words gay, prostitution, and scandal.
Looks like it fits pretty well to me.
whatevz
he’ll get a cabinet position for the old lying racist bigot or a prime time FOX News show after baby Jesus forgives him, because freedumb!
natekerchel
He deserves the full 25 years for being a hypocrite. If he had not behaved the way he did and said the things he did I would not feel so inclined to be so harsh. But I really dislike hypocrisy – especially from the religious or political right. This man has not only destroyed his own career, he has brought pain and shame to his family – and his children certainly don’t deserve that.
Brian
“My resignation is evidence of my respect for public service”
Up is down, left is right. I’m so very tired of public apologies. It’s all just show. It’s worse than not apologizing at all.
natekerchel
My very feelings too. Politicians saying sorry so often has devalued the gesture. Apologies are no substitute for imposing the same penalties on politicians as they impose on the rest of us.
radiooutmike
Good Christ, I do feel bad for his family and the 16 year old boy.
But him, Another upstanding right-wing citizen caught with his pants down? No! And frankly, it really should not even matter that it was an underage boy versus a girl, but it is just so juicy to see these idiots fall because of their “taboos”.
DMRX
Went do you feel sorry for the kid?
His dad called the cops because he knew the boy had been regularly involved in prostituting himself. And there’s no way to claim that he didn’t know toys was illegal. I’m wondering why we’re not hearing about charges filed against him.
calabrazy99
You feel bad for the 16 year old? The next homeless person you see GIVE THEM $100.00.
ErikO
Why was the 16 year old a prostitute and having sex with adult men? I feel bad for him nobody should be doing that even if they want to claim that they did this consensually or that they were not forced into it.
The guy the article is about is chickenhawk and into teenage boys which is sick but so was that creepy predator Harvey Milk, some Kalvo guy that does porn, and Matthew Shepard also sexually abused underage boys.
ingyaom
“engaging in prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church” is a special crime?
natekerchel
Its another anachronism and demonstrates the power of the christian right that it is still on the statute books. Its an absurd charge. The real crime in this case is his hypocrisy.
crowebobby
And taking a piss within 500 feet of a school in the middle of the night can get you put on a sexual offender list and ruin your life. Welcome to Merica.
Xtian99
apparently decent follks listening to sermons from child molesters, enablers and crime cover-uppers and people who aren’t smart enough to learn the difference between paedophile and homosexual dont want to walk by consenting having sex if money is exchanged.
Herman75
So I guess this is somewhere worse than the Repub legislator in Louisiana that texted sexy talk to the teenage boy and worse than the Congressman from Florida that texted naughty dialogue to male pages in DC.
dustashed
At least he resigned. If there’s one thing I can commend western politicians is that the moment they are embroiled in any form of scandal they resign immediately.
In my country, they are shameless af. It doesn’t matter if it’s a sex scandal, alleged murder, corruption etc. They will not resign to the bitter end even when convicted they will still not resign and continue to hold their post even in prison.