Democratic Party of York County calls for York City Councilman Lou Rivera to resign

The Democratic Party of York County on Saturday said it "strongly recommends" that York City Councilman Lou Rivera resign following a York Daily Record/Sunday News investigation that revealed how seven additional people say he has engaged in a pattern of sexual misconduct.

"Elected public officials must hold themselves to a higher standard, as should the constituents they represent," said Chad Baker, chairperson of the Democratic Party of York County, in a statement. "From what has been allegedly presented by the victims, in addition to the eyewitness accounts of these actions, it seems clear there is only one path for Mr. Rivera to take at this time."

Rivera, he said, deserves the opportunity to have due process and a fair trial. But Baker said as more and more people come forward, "it is clear their voices must also be heard."

Baker said those individuals have felt the need to remain quiet either because of the city councilman's position or embarrassment. "Thanks to the strong voices of those who have already come forward," he said, "many others are now finding the strength to come forward as well."

"It is vital to the alleged victims and to the constituents of the York City Council that Mr. Rivera immediately step down and allow the business of the city to move forward without distraction," Baker said.

Rivera could not immediately be reached.

RELATED:Several men, women say York City Councilman Lou Rivera has history of sexual misconduct

As recently as Friday morning, Baker had stated that the party “feels the victims and the accused should be given their opportunity for due process in the legal system.”

“Therefore,” Baker said, “we will continue to offer no comment on the specifics of the ongoing legal case against Councilman Rivera.”

In an email, Baker said he felt that it was necessary to reach out to some people who've come forward with allegations against Rivera and to party leadership after sending the prior statement.

When Baker heard back from them, he said, it was clear that he needed to immediately issue a new statement.

“I’m just glad they said something," said Michael Wascovich, 37, of Hallam, who has stated that Rivera and his husband brought out sex toys unannounced during a Christmas party in 2017. "They’ve been kind of, from what I can gather, quiet on the whole matter."

Wascovich said he understands that the party wanted to gather as much information as possible. "But I am glad they released a statement," he said.

Ryan Supler, 33, said that he concurs with the revised response from the party, and that he understands everything that has to be considered before releasing a statement. 

Supler, who has publicly called for Rivera's resignation on social media, said that the councilman exposed himself to him in a bathroom during a Democratic kickoff event in 2019. He questions why Rivera has not stepped down from his different roles within nonprofits and city council while the legal process plays out.

"It speaks to their institutional character. It says something about the organization," Supler said.

The York Daily Record spoke with seven people — four men, and three women — who described how Rivera, 51, has engaged in behavior ranging from touching them without consent to making sexual comments.

The allegations come after the Northern York County Regional Police Department charged Rivera with indecent exposure, disorderly conduct and harassment after a man he knew reported that the city councilman exposed himself at the Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen on Toronita Street near U.S. Route 30 in Manchester Township on Jan. 10, 2020.

CHECK OUT:Officials react to more sexual misconduct claims against York City Councilman Lou Rivera

Chris Ferro, Rivera's attorney, has described the allegations against his client from two men who spoke with the York Daily Record on-the-record as “ridiculous and false.”

Ferro said in a statement that the assertions from the five people who talked on the condition of anonymity were “likewise incorrect.”

He called the allegations “likely concerted efforts” to “piggyback” on the false criminal charges.

MORE: York City Councilman Lou Rivera charged with indecent exposure

In 2019, Rivera, a Democrat, became the first openly gay Latino man elected to York City Council.

Rivera is free on $25,000 unsecured bail in the criminal case, according to court records. He’s expected back in court on Feb. 8.

ALSO OF INTEREST:York City Councilman Lou Rivera to stand trial on charges including indecent exposure

Contact Jasmine Vaughn-Hall at 717-495-1789 and Dylan Segelbaum at 717-771-2102.

Response from nonprofit organizations about the allegations against York City Councilman Lou Rivera: ‘No comment at this time’

York City Councilman Lou Rivera sits on the board of directors for the United Way of York County and the Spanish-American Multicultural Resource Center, where he also serves as executive director.

In a statement, Anne Druck, president of the United Way of York County, said, "United Way of York County has no comment at this time on the allegations against Mr. Rivera, and respects that this is an ongoing investigation.”

Board members of the Spanish-American Multicultural Resource Center either declined to comment or could not be reached.

Bro2Go and The Program, It’s About Change, two nonprofit organizations that help ex-offenders, were set to honor Rivera on Jan. 16 with the Community Impact Award, according to an event flyer.

It’s unclear if that happened.

Da’Laine Simpson, CEO of Bro2Go, said he had no comment.

Meanwhile, AliceAnne Frost, CEO of The Program, It's About Change, could not be reached.