General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPA-07: Republican Patrick Meehan Harassed young staffer who did't return his affection
WASHINGTON Representative Patrick Meehan, a Pennsylvania Republican who has taken a leading role in fighting sexual harassment in Congress, used thousands of dollars in taxpayer money to settle his own misconduct complaint after a former aide accused him last year of making unwanted romantic overtures to her, according to several people familiar with the settlement.
A married father of three, Mr. Meehan, 62, had long expressed interest in the personal life of the aide, who was decades younger and had regarded the congressman as a father figure, according to three people who worked with the office and four others with whom she discussed her tenure there.
But after the woman became involved in a serious relationship with someone outside the office last year, Mr. Meehan professed his romantic desires for her first in person, and then in a handwritten letter and he grew hostile when she did not reciprocate, the people familiar with her time in the office said.
Life in the office became untenable, so she initiated the complaint process, started working from home and ultimately left the job. She later reached a confidential agreement with Mr. Meehans office that included a settlement for an undisclosed amount to be paid from Mr. Meehans congressional office fund.
Sexual misconduct accusations against powerful men across a range of industries in recent months have prompted a national conversation about gender dynamics in the workplace, and the inadequacy of support systems for victims. In Congress, several lawmakers have left office or announced their retirements in recent months over sexual harassment claims.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/20/us/politics/patrick-meehan-sexual-harassment.html
enough
(13,255 posts)in favor of Republicans, but also has a lot of very active suburban women who have been motivated by the realization of what Trump is. A decent Democratic candidate would have an excellent chance of winning now.
Meehan won last election by a hefty margin, but the district went to Clinton very narrowly.
Good news for us, but from the article it has clearly been a very bad, life-altering experience for Meehan's victim.
JI7
(89,241 posts)And from someone she viewed as a father figure
gibraltar72
(7,499 posts)never ever heard of anything like that before. Believe Me.
mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)as I was reading through this article, esp. towards the end there.
eppur_se_muova
(36,247 posts)(I won't hold my breath.)
MineralMan
(146,262 posts)Kick Meehan's ass to the curb in November, please, voters in his district.