Update: Boise Police Say Von Ehlinger Case Forwarded to Ada County Prosecutors for Review

By Greg Pruett • July 5, 2021

Earlier this year, the Boise Police Department opened an investigation into former Rep. Aaron Von Ehlinger (R-Lewiston), who had allegedly raped a woman who worked at the Idaho State Capitol building.

That investigation was closed just days later at the request of the woman. However, when the Idaho House Ethics Committee went forward with an ethics investigation into Von Ehlinger’s conduct with several women, the Boise Police Department re-opened their investigation.

Idaho Dispatch has learned that the BPD has forwarded their investigation to the Ada County Prosecutor’s office for review.

The response from the BPD comes from Haley Williams, who serves as a Public Information Officer. Here was her message to Idaho Dispatch:

The investigation has been forwarded to the Ada County Prosecutors for review.

It is not clear if any charges will be brought forward by Ada County prosecutors or not. Idaho Dispatch has reached out to the Ada County Prosecutor’s office to find out the status of their review, but we have not yet received a response.

Idaho Dispatch has also reached out to Von Ehlinger to determine if the BPD had contacted him about their investigation, but we have not yet received a response.

During the ethics hearing in late April, the House Ethics Committee ultimately recommended that Von Ehlinger not be allowed back in the capitol for the remainder of this year’s legislative session. Additionally, the committee recommended that Von Ehlinger not be allowed back in the capitol next legislative session either.

However, before the Idaho House voted on whether or not to accept the committee’s recommendations, Von Ehlinger resigned. Von Ehlinger maintained his innocence throughout the ethics hearing and said the sexual contact between him and the woman was mutual.

Idaho Dispatch will continue to give updates on this case as they become available to the public.