FRANKFORT — State Sen. Julian Carroll, D-Frankfort, said he will not resign Wednesday, just days after allegations that he groped and propositioned a then-30-year-old-man in 2005 led Senate Democrats to vote him out of his position as Minority Whip and call for his resignation.
“Absolutely no resignation, no resignation,” Carroll told reporters as he left the Capitol Annex cafeteria. He declined to answer questions about the allegations against him.
Carroll, 86, entered the Capitol cafeteria during the busy lunch hour just days after the allegations broke on Spectrum News Pure Politics. While he waved to many people, he didn’t stop to speak to anyone and took his lunch up to his office. Three reporters followed him out of the cafeteria.
Carroll said hello to the reporters and welcomed them to walk with him.
“I’m doing just fine,” Carroll said as the elevator doors closed.
Told about Carroll’s comments, Senate Minority Leader Ray Jones, D-Pikeville, said, “That’s a decision he can make, we can’t force him to resign.
“And I can’t tell you what action we as a Senate can take. That’ll be up to President Stivers.” Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, was not immediately available for comment.
Jones said Senate Democrats stand by their unanimous decision to ask Carroll to resign.
“Our caucus has taken a pretty firm stance on it,” Jones said.
About an hour before Carroll’s appearance in the Annex cafteria, his friend, Frankfort attorney William E. Johnson, told the Herald-Leader that he has seen no indications that Carroll will give up his 7th Senate District seat that includes all or parts of Anderson, Franklin, Gallatin, Owen and Woodford counties.
Johnson said he has advised Carroll not to resign.
“That’s just a lawyer’s opinion,” said Johnson. “He was in the Air Force for three years and has a long record of public service, including governor and senator. He has served the people well and the people in his district know that. It’s too bad some people did not take all that into consideration.”
Asked if Senate Democrats reacted too quickly, Johnson said, “It would be my opinion that they overreacted. This man has served his state and country well and deserved more consideration.”
