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Conn. Rep. Ernest Hewett Again in Hot Water Over Lewd Remark

Already stripped of his title as deputy speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives, state Rep. Ernest Hewett (D-New London) continues to place himself into further controversy.

Hewett lost the position over offensive remarks made to a 17-year-old high school student during a committee hearing for the Connecticut Science Center’s youth programs. After the teenager described how working with the center helped her overcome her fear of snakes, Hewett told her, “If you’re bashful, I got a snake sitting under my desk here.”

The awkward and offensive moment was captured on audiotape, along with laughter from the committee. Hewett’s fellow representatives called his comment sexual harassment, and stripped him of his title Thursday, more than a week after the Feb. 20 hearing.

He has since apologized to the girl, but Republican state House members are calling for his resignation, citing a history of similar behavior.

“Rep. Hewett has a little bit of history of saying things … it’s not the first time I’ve seen his behavior raise some doubts in my mind about what his thinking was,” Rep. Arthur O’Neill (R-Southbury) told the Hartford Courant.

Hewett refused to resign, and denied having a history of similar behavior or problems. However, while speaking with the Courant he did reveal a preference towards male interns, suggesting that his professionalism around women is questionable.

“I purposely will not have female interns. My intern now is a male. I want to keep it like that. I’ve had female interns in the past that sit in my office all day. I thought it was totally weird and I didn’t want another,” Hewett said.

When asked if he chose to only have male interns, he said that it wasn’t his choice.

“They may give me a female, but I don’t want a female intern,” he continued. “That may sound sexist but I really don’t. That way that keeps me good and that keeps everybody else good.”

Defending a sexist statement made in public by describing a potentially sexist professional practice, will likely land Hewett in even further trouble with state representatives and voters.

Hewett has served as one of New London’s representatives since 2003 and was re-elected last year.

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