Lebsock, Target Of Sex Harassment Claims, Says He 'Passed A Polygraph'

DENVER (CBS4)- Embattled Rep. Steve Lebsock, a Democrat representing Thornton, says he "passed a polygraph" in regards to sexual harassment claims made by a fellow state lawmaker.

"The polygraph test results prove that I'm telling the truth," said Lebsock. "So if I'm telling the truth, that means she's lying."

"I question the credibility of polygraphs and our ability to take the results seriously," said Winter. "Especially when he paid for it."

Lebsock has been accused of sexually harassing several women. Two of them have filed formal complaints and others have made allegations in the media.

Lebsock says some of the allegations are exaggerated and others are false.

The state representative from Thornton said that he paid $350 for an independent examiner to administer the test, which he passed.

Lebsock explained at his news conference in Downtown Denver he took the test Monday after he had not been contacted by anyone involved with the investigation organized by the House Leadership.

"I've waited patiently for weeks, I waited 26 days for the fact finder," he said.  "Evidently the fact finder has only been fact finding on one side because I haven't even received an email."

According to his website, Lebsock said that he's "ready to keep fighting and prepared to reveal the motives for the false claims."

Some of the allegations made against him were by Rep. Faith Winter, a Democrat representing Westminster.

According to Lebsock's website, here is the transcription of that portion of the polygraph:

In the exam Rep. Lebsock was first asked questions about Faith Winter's claim in the following order:
1) Question: "In May 2016 at Stoney's Bar, did you attempt to grab Faith's arm ( including her elbow )?"
Rep. Lebsock answer - "No."
2) Question: "In May 2016 at Stoney's Bar, did you grab Faith's arm (including her elbow)?"
Rep. Lebsock answer - "No."
3) Question: "In May 2016 at Stoney's Bar, did you touch Faith's buttocks?"
Rep. Lebsock answer - "No."
4) Question: "Since May 2016, did Faith ask you to have Adam (Matkowsky) drop out of the state senate race?"
Rep. Lebsock answer - "Yes."

"Rep. Lebsock is unpredictable and vindictive," said Winter in reaction to his decision to have a polygraph.

"Everybody knows what happened. He's a serious offender. My story has not changed. "

According to Lebsock's website, the examiner stated, "It is the examiner's professional opinion that Mr. Lebsock was being truthful on all of the above-listed questions."

Lebsock defended his decision to pay for his own polygraph, explaining he had no other choice.

"Anytime someone goes to take a polygraph test, someone has to pay for it, right?" he explained. "And so I'm not going to ask the people of Colorado to pay for it so I paid for it out of my own pocket."

"Go back to Faith Winter and ask her if she's willing to take a polygraph test on those three questions," said Lebsock.

Speaker of the House Crisanta Duran and Gov. John Hickenlooper have called for Lebsock to resign, but he has stated that he would remain in office. He also will continue his race for Colorado State Treasurer in 2018.

Lebsock accused party leaders of backing Winter simply because she is running for a Senate seat that could flip control of the chamber.

Winter said at her news conference inside the State Capitol that she determined any physical contact made by Lebsock the night of the allegations was not intentional and therefore not a form of assault.

"I filed a sexual harassment claim based on what he told me," said Winter "Based on the words he used, and the aggressive manner he used to get me to leave the bar with him."

Winter says she is cooperating with the investigation and plans to return to the Legislature for the regular session that begins in January.

"One thing for sure is that I did not sexually harass anyone, ever," Lebsock said. "Faith Winter lied and made false accusations against a sitting member of the Colorado House."

But he did initially apologize after the allegations came out in November. When asked at the news conference, he said he did not want to retract that statement.

"If I have offended anyone in any way, I'm sorry for that," he added.

Lebsock also said he has more to share with the media regarding the political motivations behind these accusations. He claims the leaders of his party are upset he does not always vote with the caucus.

"This is another abuse of power by Representative Lebsock who is desperate to sway the investigation, but everyone knows what happened," said Winter.

Lebsock also said he will take more tests if others file formal accusations against him.

"I'm willing to take a polygraph on every single accuser who comes forward and submits a formal complaint," he said.