Former lawmaker settles suit over groping incident

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A former state lawmaker convicted of groping a woman at an Oklahoma City hotel has settled a lawsuit the woman filed against him. <br/><br/>The suit against former Enid Representative

Tuesday, March 28th 2006, 5:22 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A former state lawmaker convicted of groping a woman at an Oklahoma City hotel has settled a lawsuit the woman filed against him.

The suit against former Enid Representative Mike O'Neal was scheduled for trial this week.

The lawsuit filed by Ida Mae Chaplin of Tulsa alleged O'Neal sexually assaulted her by making an inappropriate comment.

It also accused him of causing her to injure her leg when she fell trying to evade him.

Chaplin's attorney -- Mike Gassaway -- wouldn't reveal the settlement amount, but says his client is very happy.

O'Neal's attorney declined comment.

O'Neal was sentenced in October 2004 to five years probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of outraging public decency.