(The Center Square) – Rep. Cecil Brockman, the embattled sixth-term Democrat from Guilford County in the North Carolina House of Representatives, late Friday announced his resignation.
Court records indicate the 41-year-old is charged in offenses with a 15-year-old. Brockman is facing charges of two counts statutory sex offense with a child and two counts indecent liberties with a child.
Prosecutors say the phone of the lawmaker had 14 videos of illegal activities. Brockman was arrested Oct. 8.
Brockman, in a resignation letter to the House clerk, said in part, “Due to the seriousness of these accusations, I need to focus on my defense of these allegations. As a result, I am unable to fulfill my duty and service to my constituents in Guilford County.”
The resignation was effective immediately.
“Rep. Brockman’s decision to resign is the right thing to do for his constituents and for the North Carolina House of Representatives,” said Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell. “His departure spares the House from a difficult expulsion process and brings closure to this troubling chapter.”
Hall less than three hours earlier had released the names of a 12-member committee given the charge to investigate accusations of misconduct by Brockman. The panel could have decided on expulsion from the chamber. At the time of naming the committee, Brockman was formally removed from all House committees.
Brockman represented District 60, or the southwestern corner of Guilford County inclusive of High Point. He was vice chairman in the Committee on Education K-12, and a member of five others – Agriculture and Environment; Appropriations; Appropriations Education; Energy and Public Utilities; and Health. He also is a member of the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee.
“I am glad that Rep. Brockman has voluntarily resigned from the General Assembly,” said Rep. Robert Reives, D-Chatham, the chamber’s minority leader. “The allegations against him are serious and made it impossible for him to adequately represent his constituents. I look forward to the Guilford County Democrats appointing his successor.”
Brockman is due in court on Thursday of next week. His lawyer was expected on Monday to seek a reduction in the more than $1 million bond.
