Republican Sen. Mike Maroney, the chair of the West Virginia state Senate Health and Human Resources Committee, was recently charged with indecent exposure and disorderly conduct after an incident at Gumby’s Cigarette & Beer World in Glen Dale on Aug. 4. Employees at the establishment allegedly witnessed Maroney engaging in an act of sexual gratification through surveillance video. The incident led to Maroney’s arrest by the Glen Dale Police Department on Tuesday.

As a response to the charges, Senate President Craig Blair of the same political party decided to remove Maroney from his position as committee chair and from all other committee responsibilities. Blair expressed concern for Maroney’s well-being and emphasized that the allegations, if proven true, do not meet the standards expected of elected leaders in the West Virginia State Senate.

Maroney, who has been a state senator since 2016, faced a recent defeat in the primary election from challenger Chris Rose. His loss followed public opposition to a bill supported by the Republican caucus that sought to grant exemptions from vaccination requirements for certain students. Maroney, a radiologist, criticized the bill on the Senate floor, describing it as detrimental to the state.

Furthermore, Maroney’s stance against a proposed ban on medical interventions for transgender adolescents also caused discontent among some Republicans. He argued that it was inappropriate for legislators without medical expertise to restrict access to proven medical treatments. If convicted, Maroney could face penalties including potential jail time and fines for the charges brought against him.