The victim, then a 19-year-old intern of another lawmaker, accused von Ehlinger – then a 38-year-old Republican representative in the state – of engaging in non-consensual sexual acts with her in March 2021 after taking her to dinner. Von Elinger resigned in April 2021 after a committee of the state House heard the allegations of the trainee and unanimously recommended criticizing Von Elinger and removing the powers of his office without remuneration. He was indicted later that year. The woman was on the witness stand during Von Elinger’s trial this week, but left the courtroom giving details of the attack, CNN KIVI’s subsidiary said. “It was a human reaction, I think, when he ran out of the room,” Katelyn Farley, Ada County’s deputy attorney general, told a news conference Friday. “I do not think anyone could have a human reaction.” Ada County Attorney Jan Bennetts said von Ehlinger’s conviction sends a message that “victims can be trusted and that it is important to reduce barriers for victims to appear.” Von Ehlinger said that sexual intercourse was consensual. Jon Cox, von Ehlinger’s lawyer, did not comment when KIVI approached him. Cox also did not respond to a request for comment by CNN on Friday. Von Elinger’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 28, according to court records online. The maximum penalty for rape in Idaho is life imprisonment, Benetz said. The lawsuit filed in court referred to the prosecution only with its initials. CNN does not identify victims or alleged victims of sexual assault without their consent. Von Elinger first took office in June 2020, when the governor of Idaho appointed him to fill a vacancy in the state House. He was then elected for a full term in November 2020. CNN’s Kaylene Chassie contributed to this report.
