Matt Manweller
Matt Manweller | |
---|---|
Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the Position 2, 13th legislative district | |
In office November 29, 2012 – January 14, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Bill Hinkle |
Personal details | |
Born | Mathew Shon Manweller August 23, 1969 |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Shelley Manweller |
Children | Lincoln and Grayson manweller |
Residence | Ellensburg, Washington |
Alma mater | Whitman College (B.A.) University of Montana (M.A.) University of Oregon (Ph.D.) |
Profession | Teacher Author Columnist Radio & TV producer Radio & TV host Associate professor |
Website | Official Legislative Official University |
Mathew Shon "Matt" Manweller (born August 23, 1969) is an American politician of the Republican Party. He was a member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 13th Legislative District.[1]
On September 21, 2018, Manweller was asked by party leaders to resign his position in the Washington State House of Representatives after it became widely known that he had had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, a former high school student of his.[2]
Manweller’s employment as a tenured professor was terminated by Central Washington University on August 14, 2018 after an investigation by an independent third party hired by CWU to evaluate accusations of inappropriate behavior made by former students.[3]
On December 11, 2017, Manweller was placed on administrative leave by Central Washington University, following additional complaints from ex-students. CWU investigated Manweller for "inappropriate conduct."[4][5] The Seattle Times has additionally reported on a complaint from a Legislative Aide in Olympia, WA.[5][6] In spite of CWU's suspension, Manweller filed for reelection in May 2018.
According to NW News Network (Regional Public Journalism), on December 14, 2017 Manweller "resigned his leadership position" as assistant floor leader and was " 'removed' from his position as the Ranking Republican on the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee" [7]
Manweller was focused on creating a smaller, less expensive, more efficient government that provides solution-oriented leadership. Most recently his efforts prioritized the move against a state income tax, increasing funding for vocational education, reducing forest fires, and stopping school shootings.
Manweller was recognized often during his first years in office:
- in 2017 for his work on career and technical education[8]
- in 2017 when elected as chair of the Select Committee on Pension Policy [9]
- in 2016 when chosen for minority leadership [10]
- in 2016 when qualified as a Champion of Worker Rights [11]
- in 2016 when presented The State Historic Preservation Officer's 2016 Annual Award [12]
During his 3 terms, Matt Manweller was outspoken about controversial topics such as free speech on college campuses, gender identity in regards to bathrooms, and the Washington State Supreme Court.
Manweller received his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon and was a Professor of Political Science at Central Washington University.
Legacy of Sexually Inappropriate Behavior
He was initially investigated by CWU in 2012, the year he was first elected to the legislature, on claims of sexual harassment by students while teaching. He obtained a restraining order against the university to prevent release of the 2012 report; the order was lifted four days before election day. In both 2012 and 2013, outside investigators concluded that there was "evidence to suggest" that Manweller violated the university's sexual-harassment policies.[13]
While the university did not punish him following the 2012 investigation, in 2013 Manweller's promotion to full professor was delayed and he was ordered to complete sexual harassment training.[4][13]
In 2017 Mr. Manweller was fired from his job at Central Washington University after an investigation found he had engaged in a pattern of sexual-misconduct and harassment over a 13-year-period. About the allegations Manweller stated that they were false and that he had nothing to apologize for. In 2019 Manweller settled a wrongful termination lawsuit with Central Washington University for $155,000 far short of the $2,000,000 he was seeking. A Central Washington University spokesmen stated to the Seattle Times in 2019 that the University settled the case so victims of Mr. Manweller wouldn't be subjected to pre-trial interviews and a prolonged legal process. [14] Mr. Manweller as also been accused of having sexual relations with underage females[15].
References
- ^ "Matt Manweller". votesmart.org. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
- ^ "Washington House Republicans ask Manweller to resign after former student alleges underage relationship". nwpb.org. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
- ^ "CWU | Central Washington University Statement on Professor Matt Manweller". www.cwu.edu. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
- ^ a b Martinez, Julia (11 December 2017). "Central Washington U. Places Professor — and State Lawmaker — on Leave Amid Allegation". Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
- ^ a b https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/times-watchdog/washington-state-rep-matt-manweller-placed-on-leave-at-cwu-job/
- ^ https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2017/12/11/25622027/central-washington-university-is-investigating-rep-matt-manweller-for-something-but-they-wont-say-what
- ^ http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/manweller-stripped-committee-assignment-resigns-assistant-floor-leader
- ^ "Rep. Matt Manweller recognized for his work on career and technical education - Matt Manweller". Matt Manweller. 2017-08-16. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ^ "Manweller elected chair of the Select Committee on Pension Policy - Matt Manweller". Matt Manweller. 2017-09-20. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ^ kbain@yakimaherald.com, By Kaitlin Bain. "Legislative District 13 state representative chosen for minority leadership". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ^ "WRA Olympia In Review". issuu. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ^ "Manweller receives award for legislation to preserve historic cemeteries that serve communities and honor veterans - Matt Manweller". Matt Manweller. 2016-05-18. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ^ a b "Washington state Rep. Matt Manweller has faced sexual misconduct complaints from students". The Seattle Times. 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ^ https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/ex-gop-lawmaker-matt-manweller-settles-lawsuit-against-university-for-155k/
- ^ https://www.nwnewsnetwork.org/post/rep-matt-manweller-accused-underage-relationship-former-student