Pennsylvania State Senator Michael Folmer Resigns Over Child Pornography

Pennsylvania Senator Michael Folmer was allowed to resign on Wednesday after being accused by police of having child pornography on his phone. Investigators found child pornography on Folmer’s phone while executing a search warrant at his Lebanon, Pennsylvania home, according to CNN.

Law enforcement started investigating him after a tip reported that Tumblr had discovered a user who uploaded an image of child pornography using the application. Further investigations led to Folmer’s home.

He was charged Tuesday with sexual abuse of children, possession of child pornography and criminal use of a communication facility, CNN reported.

“We are sickened and disturbed by the charges brought against Mike Folmer yesterday. We have reviewed the criminal complaint and spoke with Mike Folmer early this morning to insist on his resignation from the Senate,” read a statement from Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati and Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf called the Republican lawmaker’s decision to step down “the right decision,” spokesman J.J. Abbott said.

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On Tuesday, Scarnati and Corman said they would immediately remove Folmer as chair of the state government committee. What other consequences Folmer will face remains to be seen. A preliminary hearing in his case is scheduled for September 26.

According to the state constitution, the Senate president must issue a writ for a special election to fill the seat that Folmer has left vacant.

He is married and a grandfather of seven. Folmer’s initial excuse to law enforcement was that he received child pornography images through his Tumblr blog and that he was experiencing “some personal problems,” according to the Patriot-News’s review of charging documents.

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