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Anti-gay Ohio lawmaker caught having gay sex now facing 30 more accusations

An Ohio GOP lawmaker who resigned last week after being caught having sex with a man in his office, faces fresh accusations of sexual misconduct with over 30 individuals, according to an exclusive report by the Independent Journal Review, a right-leaning millennial-focused news outlet.

Rep. Wes Goodman, who touted his conservative, Christian values and sided with anti-LGBTQ stances as a legislator, allegedly had a regular m.o.: He’d pretend to be a mentor of sorts to men in the 18-24 age range on Facebook Messenger. The conversations would quickly turn sexual, with Goodman, 33 and married since 2012, sending suggestive messages and sexually explicit photos on Snapchat, and at times directly soliciting sex.

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“I thought it would be a great way to build a professional relationship with an upcoming conservative lawmaker and seemingly solid guy,” one source, who wished to remain anonymous, told IJR. “However, he constantly sent me Snaps and was always commenting on my stories. He also asked how much “p—y” I was getting and wondering what I was doing on Friday and Saturday nights.”

Months later, in November 2016, Goodman reportedly took it up a notch.

“Then, he sent me videos of him masturbating, as well as d–k pics. He also sent another Snapchat asking how big my penis was. I immediately blocked him. He later [messaged] me on both Instagram and Facebook, leading me to block him on both apps as well.”

Dozens of men shared similar stories of Goodman with screenshots as proof, according to IJR.

The report Monday compounds allegations against Goodman dating back years. Goodman was accused of fondling an 18-year-old boy at a fundraiser in 2015, the Washington Post reported. The event’s organizer, Tony Perkins, president of the Council of National Policy, reportedly asked Goodman to drop out of the race for Ohio Legislature, but Goodman stayed in and won. He has represented Ohio’s 87th district since 2016.

“We all bring our own struggles and our own trials into public life. That has been true for me, and I sincerely regret that my actions and choices have kept me from serving my constituents and our state in a way that reflects the best ideals of public service,” Goodman said in a statement after his resignation. “For those whom I have let down, I’m sorry. As I move on to the next chapter of my life, I sincerely ask for privacy for myself, my family, and my friends.”

VICE News reached out to Goodman for comment on the new allegations, but he didn’t not respond by press time.

Ohio House Speaker Rep. Cliff Rosenberger said a committee will be chosen to screen for Goodman’s replacement, according to the Toledo Blade.