A high-ranking official of the United Autoworkers Union who began his rise climb through the UAW ranks here in the Valley has resigned from a job paying six figures in the midst of an investigation into sexual harassment allegations.

According to a joint statement released on Tuesday, the UAW and Region 2B Director Richard Rankin have reached a resolution that includes Rankin resigning from his position as Regional Director and as an employee of the International Union.  The union, in turn, the union has canceled a scheduled Article 30 hearing for Rankin.

Article 30 of the UAW constitution provides a mechanism in which charges or alleged wrongdoing may be pursued against international union officers and board members.

The joint statement says Rankin’s resignation is a personal decision and “does not reflect an admission of any kind.”

The Wall Street Journal reported in March that the UAW had hired an outside law firm to investigate allegations made by two female staffers that Rankin made sexually charged remarks.  According to published accounts, Rankin has denied the allegations.

Rankin became a UAW member in 1997 when he joined Local 1112 at GM in Lordstown.

 A UAW biography says Rankin, born and raised in Youngstown, was hired at the Lordstown Lear Seating plant in 1998 where, as a member of  Local 1112, Rankin served in a variety of positions from 2001 to 2010, including three terms as Chairman of the bargaining committee.

Rankin graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from Malone University in Canton and has a welding diploma from New Castle School of Trades and worked as a certified pipe welder prior to working at GM.

Rankin was appointed Assistant Director of UAW Region 2-B, covering the states of Indiana and Ohio, in August of 2014.

Prior to becoming Assistant Director, he carried out servicing responsibilities in Northeast Ohio as a member of Region 2-B Staff from March of 2010 until August of 2014. His assignments included Independents, Parts, and Suppliers; Technical, Office, and Professional contracts, and General Motors.

Rankin was elected to become Region 2B Director in 2017.

As Director, Rankin served on the UAW International Executive Board.

The Associated Press reports that Rankin made a salary of $179,000.