Patrick Meehan, Congressman Combating Harassment, Settled His Own Misconduct Case
Source: NYT
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.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/20/us/politics/patrick-meehan-sexual-harassment.html?action=Click&contentCollection=BreakingNews&contentID=66391484&pgtype=Homepage
Horizens
(637 posts)Meehan was my congressman. Gerrymandering changed that and instead of my being in the 7th congressional district, I'm in the 1st. Pa 1st is one of the most absurdly drawn districts in the country.
DarthDem
(5,257 posts)No chance he survives this. Already a prime pickup opportunity, now an outstanding one if he quits.
BumRushDaShow
(129,762 posts)Unfortunately one of the (D) potentials (Daylin Leach) had his own similar issues and how to pull out but there should be others running for that seat which SHOULD BE a D seat!
bucolic_frolic
(43,401 posts)PA 8th I think ... this family has held a prominent position in county government since the 1960s.
I'd drive voters to the polls all day if they could find more votes ... Voter Valet
We all must do whatever it takes!
DeminPennswoods
(15,292 posts)Eugene
(61,969 posts)Source: Washington Post
By Elise Viebeck January 20 at 6:15 PM
A Republican congressman was removed from the House Ethics Committee on Saturday after it was reported that he used thousands of dollars in taxpayer money to settle a misconduct complaint by a former staffer.
Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.), who denies wrongdoing, reached a settlement with the aide after she claimed last year that he made unwanted romantic overtures toward her, according to a report published in the New York Times. The fourth-term lawmaker now faces an investigation by the ethics panel, according to a spokeswoman for House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.).
Speaker Ryan takes the allegations against Mr. Meehan very seriously, AshLee Strong said in an emailed statement. The speaker is committed to rooting out sexual misconduct in the House and providing victims the resources they need.
Strong noted that the House is poised to approve changes in how sexual harassment and other employee complaints are managed on Capitol Hill. Advocates have criticized the current system as weighted toward the interests of lawmakers over employees.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/gop-congressman-removed-from-ethics-committee-after-misconduct-settlement-reported/2018/01/20/3a7cf152-fe2c-11e7-8f66-2df0b94bb98a_story.html