Kansas Republicans scramble to distance themselves from state legislator accused of abusing boys

Republicans in Kansas are distancing themselves from a state representative who was accused of abusing emotionally abused boys -- even though the ruling against him was thrown out.

Wichita's KAKE news station reported that the Kansas Department for Children and Families found that Rep. Michael Capps (R-Wichita) emotionally abused boys.

After becoming a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) through a state program, Capps was assigned a five-year-old boy who was removed from a foster home in 2017.

Soon after the boy went into his care, his foster mother filed a complaint against him claiming he'd abused two boys.

"The woman alleges Capps hugged and kissed the boys and allowed them to sit on his lap and rub his chest," the report noted. "He was also accused of babysitting the woman’s children, which CASA said is in violation of his duties."

After investigating the foster mother's claims, state investigators found them to be true -- but the decision was reversed after Capps appealed it with a state court claiming administrative errors resulted in him being found guilty.

Now, however, the Kansas Republican Party is taking the allegations seriously and attempting to distance the lawmaker as he runs for re-election.

"We want to make sure the folks who represent us in the Kansas House are those of integrity and have the best interest of the people of Kansas," state House Speaker Ron Rykman, a Republican, told KAKE.

Rykman said he personally asked Capps to step aside, but his Republican colleague refused.

"I did nothing wrong," Capps said, "and I was cleared."

The lawmaker resigned from his volunteer advocate position  and was later de-certified. The report noted that no criminal charges have been filed against Capps and the case against him was dismissed.