Husch Blackwell partner resigns as Missouri House speaker over sexts with intern
A partner at Husch Blackwell in St. Louis has resigned as speaker of the Missouri House after the Kansas City Star reported on his sexts with a 19-year-old legislative intern.
House Speaker John Diehl, a Republican, announced his resignation on Thursday, report the Am Law Daily (sub. req.), the New York Times and the Kansas City Star.
“I take full responsibility for my actions and am truly sorry to those I let down,” said Diehl, who is 49, married and the father of three. “I apologize for the poor judgment I displayed that put me and those closest to me in this situation. I also regret that the woman has been dragged into this situation. The buck stops here. I ask for forgiveness.”
Diehl left Armstrong Teasdale to join Husch Blackwell in October. He is a real estate development and construction partner at the law firm.
Updated at 2:28 p.m. to add Diehl’s political party.
