Eric Massa Allegations Spur New House Ethics Committee Investigation
Updated at 6:10 p.m. ET
The House ethics committee announced today it is investigating matters relating to the sexual harassment allegations against former Democratic Rep. Eric Massa (N.Y.).
"The allegations surrounding former Representative Massa are serious and warrant a full and complete investigation," the committee said in a statement.
The congressman resigned last month in the wake charges he behaved inappropriately with male staffers. The House ethics committee had begun an inquiry into the charges but dropped its investigation when Massa left office. However, earlier this month more serious sexual harassment allegations came to light after a former staffer for Massa filed a complaint against him. House Republicans called for an investigation into what exactly congressional leaders knew about the charges against Massa, and when.
The ethics committee cannot investigate former members but will still look into how others handled the charges. Committee Chair Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and ranking Republican Jo Bonner (R-Ala.) will lead an investigative subcommittee to determine whether any House member or staffer violated any laws or rules in their handling of the allegations against Massa.The committee is beginning its investigation after House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer wrote letters to Zofgren and Bonner, as well as letters to the Office of Compliance and the House Administration Committee, asking for a review of current harassment reporting practices and recommendations for improvements, Politico reports.
Democrats have proposed a number of overhauls to improve the way congressional offices deal with harassment claims, according to Politico. For instance, the party has proposed instituting training classes every two years to review with senior employees the appropriate way to handle reports of harassment.
The Washington Post reported earlier this year that Massa's two senior staffers tried to manage the sexual harassment charges against the congressman themselves for a year before reporting it to congressional leaders. Hoyer first brought the charges to the House ethics committee, after his office learned about the complaints against Massa in February.
UPDATE: Lofgren and Bonner interviewed Hoyer about the Massa allegations this afternoon, Politico reports.The FBI is also investigating matters related to the Massa charges, the Associated Press reports. Debra Katz, an attorney for a former Massa staff member told the AP Wednesday she was contacted by the FBI. She said she believes the FBI is looking into a $40,000 check from Massa's campaign to his former chief of staff, Joe Racalto.
