A former Democratic speaker of Oregon’s House of Representatives was arrested last month in a sex trafficking sting, police said.
David Hunt, 53, was one of eight men arrested in April in an operation that included officers posting decoy ads online, Portland police said. Hunt is accused of responding to the ads to arrange payment for sexual acts, according to police.
He has been charged with commercial sexual solicitation, a misdemeanor.
Hunt “denies the allegations, but respects the criminal justice process and will refrain from saying more until he has his opportunity in court,” his attorney, Michael de Muniz, said.
Hunt serves on the board for Clackamas Community College, which said on Twitter that he is “taking a leave,” effective Monday.
He is a registered lobbyist in Salem, where from 2009 to 2011 he served as speaker of the House. Before that, he served one term as House majority leader.
The Associated Press contributed.