Lawmaker placed on leave from college due to investigation

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A state lawmaker who is facing scrutiny over past allegations of sexual harassment while teaching at Central Washington University has been placed on leave by the school because of a new investigation.

The News Tribune and Northwest News Network reported Monday that the university would not disclose the nature of the investigation of Republican Rep. Matt Manweller or any further details about it.

Manweller, who said he didn't learn he was on paid leave until he showed up to work Monday and his computer was gone, said he received a letter from the university notifying him of the school's investigation.

The move comes as Manweller, who is a political science professor at the college, has been the subject of new reports related to 2012 and 2013 investigations of him by the school into allegations of sexual harassment.

Manweller has denied those allegations, along with other recent allegations by women have told the Legislature interactions with Manweller made them uncomfortable.

The university never determined the allegations Manweller to be substantiated, though school officials formally reprimanded Manweller at least once, saying he had problems maintaining boundaries with students. Investigators also concluded in the 2013 report that there was evidence Manweller broke CWU's sexual harassment rules.