Oklahoma state senator Bryce Marlatt.
A Republican state senator from Oklahoma has been accused of grabbing and kissing an Uber driver, according to a BuzzFeed News report Wednesday.The driver alleged that she picked up Bryce Marlatt around 10 p.m. on June 26 to drop him off at a hotel in Oklahoma City. The driver then claimed that Marlatt had grabbed her forcefully and started kissing her neck while she was driving.
"She was giving this person a ride," said Oklahoma City Police Department Master Sergeant Gary Knight, according to KFOR News. "He was in the back seat. And, he kept reaching around, grabbing her, kissing on her, things along those lines."
Two days later, the driver reported the incident and said "she was unsure what she needed to do," according to a police report obtained by BuzzFeed that redacted the names of the driver and the alleged assailant. Based on basic information, the driver was able to find a picture of Marlatt online.
"The senator was shocked and surprised at the allegations," said Robert Don Gifford, Marlatt's attorney. "He was, he really wants to get to the bottom of this. He's asked us to reach out to Uber, which we have. We're trying to get to the bottom of this and figure out what's going on."
According to the police report filed by the driver, Uber declined to provide her with information about her passenger; however, Uber said it was releasing information to law-enforcement officials.
"What's been reported is not tolerated and has no place on the Uber app," Uber said in a statement to BuzzFeed. "We are working with the Oklahoma City Police Department and will provide any information to them that would be helpful for their ongoing investigation."
Neither Oklahoma City police nor Marlatt's office were immediately available for comment on Wednesday night.
Marlatt has represented Oklahoma as a state senator for nearly 10 years. In 2015, he pleaded no contest after law enforcement officials found him asleep on the road in his running vehicle. Officers said they detected alcohol when he rolled his windows down, according to Fox 25 News.
Asked if he had been drinking, Marlatt reportedly said "no more than anyone else."