A Democratic lawmaker said he's resigning to avoid becoming a distraction following a magazine's publication of an anonymous allegation against him.
With his resignation Monday, Democratic Rep. Dillon Bates said that now that he's freed of legislative duties he's going to work on clearing his name.
An Aug. 3 magazine article in "The Bollard" quoted an anonymous source who alleged Bates had romantic relationships with students he met as teacher and coach at a now-shuttered all-female high school in Portland. Democratic House Speaker Sara Gideon and Democratic Party Chairman Phil Bartlett called for Bates' resignation.
Bates hasn't been charged with any crime.
He called the allegations "baseless and false." He said he's proud to have served the people of Westbrook and looks forward to finding ways to serve in the future.
