A Saskatchewan MLA resigned his seat in the legislature last week after he was convicted of buying sex from a 14- year-old girl.
Jack Goohsen, who represented the Cypress Hills constituency since 1991, said he will appeal the conviction. He is to be sentenced June 29.
In a letter of resignation to the legislative assembly, the Independent MLA maintained his innocence.
The 56-year-old farmer and father of six was charged in April 1997 after RCMP found him and a girl in his car near an abandoned factory west of Regina.
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“I will continue to use every legal means available to clear my name in the future,” Goohsen wrote to his colleagues. “I do recognize that there will be and has been embarrassment for the assembly. For that I am deeply remorseful. The reason for my resignation is out of respect for the institution.”
Outside the house, Saskatchewan Party MLA Arlene Jule said the resignation was a small, first step toward retribution.
Jule, who has lobbied the government to crack down on johns who exploit children, said all members have to be aware of their responsibility to uphold the dignity of Saskatchewan people through their own actions.
