GOP Lawmaker Resigns After Alleged Gay-Sex Tryst

OLYMPIA, Wash. — A Republican state legislator who repeatedly voted against gay rights measures resigned his seat Wednesday amid revelations he reportedly had sex with a man he met at an adult video store while in Spokane, Wash., on a GOP retreat.

In a written statement, Richard Curtis, 48, who represents the 18th district in the state House of Representatives, said that while he believes he's done a lot of good during his time in the Legislature, "events that have recently come to light have hurt a lot of people."

"I sincerely apologize for any pain my actions may have caused," he said. "This has been damaging to my family, and I don't want to subject them to any additional pain that might result from carrying out this matter under the scrutiny that comes with holding public office."

On Monday, Curtis told The Columbian newspaper of Vancouver, Wash., that he did not solicit sex.

"I committed no crime," he said. "I did not solicit sex. I was trying to help somebody out."

Curtis, a former firefighter from La Center, Wash., also declared, "I am not gay."

In police reports, however, Curtis said the man he had sex with in a Spokane hotel room extorted him. The other man contends Curtis reneged on a promise to pay $1,000 for sex.

Curtis was among state GOP lawmakers in Spokane Oct. 24-26 for a retreat to discuss the upcoming legislative session. He went to the Hollywood Erotic Boutique early on Oct. 26 and met Cody Castagna, 26, of Medical Lake, Wash., who accompanied him to the hotel, according to police documents released Tuesday.

According to those documents, the two arrived at the hotel around 3:30 a.m. and had sex, after which Curtis fell asleep.

Curtis has alleged that Castagna took his wallet and later offered to return it for $1,000. Curtis said he only had $200 and left an envelope with the money at the hotel desk, according to the documents, which also said Castagna allegedly called Curtis and demanded an additional $800 and threatened to expose Curtis. But Curtis had already contacted police, who listened to the call and then met with Castagna.

There have been no arrests in the case. On Wednesday, Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Larry Steinmetz said a decision about possible criminal charges in the alleged extortion case was weeks away.

Castagna appeared Tuesday at a Spokane news conference with his lawyer and said Curtis gave him his wallet to hold as collateral "for the money that he promised me." The lawyer refused to let his client tell reporters what he did for the money, noting Castagna had already spoken voluntarily with police.

"Cody Castagna admitted threatening to publicly expose Richard Curtis' gay lifestyle to his wife unless Richard Curtis provided the disputed money," the police documents said.

The lawyer also refused to let Castagna respond to a question about whether he threatened to "out" Curtis. The lawyer noted extortion "is a violent Class B felony" and declared that his client "didn't do anything wrong, at that level anyway."

Curtis' resignation was delivered to Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire Wednesday afternoon. A Republican successor will be chosen by county Republican leaders, and will serve until the 2008 election.

Curtis is married and has children, according to information on his legislative website, which was taken down after Curtis' resignation was accepted.

Elected to the Washington state House of Representatives in 2004, he voted in 2005 and 2006 against a bill that granted civil rights protections to gays and lesbians, and in 2007 voted against a bill that created domestic partnerships for same-sex couples. Both measures eventually passed the Democratic-controlled state Legislature and are now state law.

Efforts to reach Curtis or his lawyer by reporters have been unsuccessful.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Nebraska Legislature Passes Republican's Age Verification Bill With No Votes Against It

Nebraska’s unicameral legislature has passed the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still have antitrust claims that they may pursue in the future.

Xgen Now Shipping ZOLO's 'Stroke Off' Collection

Xgen Products is now shipping the Stroke Off collection of 11 handheld strokers and four masturbators modeled after lifelike body parts.

Nobü Unveils 'Gyrä' Vibrating Grinding Pad

Nobü has introduced the new Gyrä vibrating grinding pad.

Orion Introduces New 3-Motor Vibrator From 'Sweet Smile' Line

Orion Wholesale has debuted the new three-motor RC G- & P-Spot Vibrator from its Sweet Smile line.

C1R Debuts 'Vers' Suction Dildo, Butt Plug

C1R has introduced its new Vers liquid silicone suction dildo and butt plug.

FSC, Co-Plaintiffs to Ask US Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of Texas Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) and its co-plaintiffs in the challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law have filed a petition before the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit asking to stay its recent upholding the law because they intend to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to review the law’s constitutionality.

Blush Erotica, The Kinky Candle Company Partner for Branded Candle

Blush Erotica has partnered with The Kinky Candle Company for an official branded candle.

FSC Vows to Fight Florida Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) issued a statement vowing to continue fighting Florida’s age verification law, which was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday as part of a comprehensive bill targeting minors’ use of social media.

Kansas Republican Aims to Create New Bureaucracy to 'Investigate' Porn Websites

Republican state legislators succeeded Monday in moving forward Kansas’ version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists, despite serious concerns raised by House Democrats about the cost of establishing a new bureaucracy tasked with investigating websites for pornographic content.

Show More