(Wikipedia)
A Democratic delegate in the Maryland House of Representatives has been accused of indecent exposure at her ex-husband’s house. According to documents in Ariana Kelly’s case, she went to her former lover’s house, exposed her breasts and began shaking them up and down. The incident was recorded on her ex’s cellphone camera.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Kelly ‘Vigorously Disputes the Allegations’
Kelly pictured with U.S. Presidential Candidate Martin O’Malley.
The incident happened in Bethesda, Maryland on June 27. Her ex-husband, Barak Sanford, had been expecting her as she was due to drop off the couple’s children. The documents state that Kelly rang the doorbell several times and then exposed her breasts to Sanford “with one breast in each hand [shaking] them up and down.” Bethesda Magazine reports that Kelly was furious that her ex-husband’s fiancee was in the house when she was dropping off her kids. The court papers it says that Sanford recorded Kelly through a glass door. When cops got to the scene, she goaded police into arresting her. Speaking to Bethesda Magazine, Kelly’s lawyer, former Maryland State Del. Luiz Simmons said “Ariana is vigorously disputing the allegations. We will be in court in the next month. Divorce is very painful and punishing, even for members of the General Assembly. This arose out of a private dispute between Ariana and her ex-husband… and unfortunately it’s now where it is.”
2. Kelly & Her Husband Divorced in November 2014
Kelly pictured with her kids. (Facebook)
Court records show that Kelly and Sanford were divorced in November 2014, reports the Washington Post. The couple bought a home together in Bethesda for $1.1 million in March 2010. Sanford is the Managing Director of financial services company Promontory. According to his profile on their website, he worked as lawyer previously, advising clients on financial regulations.
3. Kelly Is the Former Executive Director of Pro Choice Maryland
(Facebook)
Before entering politics, Kelly hosted To The Contrary, a PBS news program. From there, she went on to serve as the Executive Director of Pro Choice Maryland, according to her LinkedIn page. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1999 after studying History, Women’s Studies, and TV/Film Production.
4. She Is Considering a Run for Congress
Kelly pictured with Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh. (Facebook)
Kelly has served the 16th district in Maryland’s House of Delegates since January 2011. She was reelected to the role in 2014. Despite her arrest, Kelly still has the support of her colleagues, Del. Shane Robinson telling the Bethesda Magazine “From my perspective, it’s a private family matter and I expect it’s going to be resolved appropriately.” Her court date is scheduled for August 13. The Washington Post reports that she was considering a run for Chris Van Hollen’s congressional seat, which is being vacated.
5. Her Brother Is a Renowned Science Fiction Author
(Facebook)
She and Sanford have two children, a daughter Maeve and a son, Leo. Her grandfather was Maryland’s fire safety guru Francis Brannigan. Her brother, Jonathan, and sister-in-law, Kate Orman, are both renowned science-fiction authors.
