Vermont lawmaker accused of sexual assault
BURLINGTON, Vt. — A Vermont state senator is facing criminal charges of sexual assault, human trafficking and prohibited acts, Vermont State Police confirmed Thursday night.
Norman H. McAllister is in the midst of his second two-year term as a Republican senator covering most of Franklin County and the town of Alburgh in Grand Isle County. He has been a successful large-dairy farmer and active community member.
The Burlington Free Press learned police arrested McAllister, 63, Thursday evening after he spent the day at the Statehouse working on legislative issues, including an education governance debate. He is due to be arraigned in Vermont Superior Court in St. Albans on Friday morning.
The allegations include that he either accepted or solicited sex from two women in exchange for overdue rent, officials told the Free Press.
Judge Alison Arms ordered McAllister jailed for lack of $20,000 bail at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans Town.
A voice message left at the McAllister home Thursday night was not returned.
A sworn police statement outlining the allegations in more detail will be withheld until after the arraignment Friday, the state police said.
Gov. Peter Shumlin had no comment Thursday night, spokesman Scott Coriell told the Free Press.
Sen President Pro Tem John Campbell could not be reached for comment. An aide said he also would be unlikely to comment
McAllister serves on both the Agriculture and Institutions committees in the Senate.
He served as a state House member for four two-year terms from 2003 to 2010.
McAllister spoke to his colleagues in the Senate this spring about the death of his wife during the legislative debate over keeping certain safeguards in place for assisted suicide legislation.
The conservative McAllister has proposed some legislation that has raised eyebrows, including his support for a bill requiring those receiving public assistance from Vermont taxpayers to submit to drug testing. The bill would make substance-abuse treatment available to recipients who test positive.
Contributing: April Burbank of the Free Press