Eric Massa Under Investigation for Groping Male Staffers, Reports Say
Former Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) is under investigation for allegedly groping multiple male staffers and behaving inappropriately with interns, according to reports.
Massa allegedly groped three male staffers and conducted himself improperly with interns and full-time aides, Politico reports, citing an unnamed source. The Washington Post, citing three unnamed sources, says allegations that Massa groped multiple male staffers date back at least a year and involve "a pattern of behavior and physical harassment."
Massa announced his resignation last week after it came to light the House ethics committee was investigating him on sexual harassment charges, but the newly-reported charges of harassment are more serious than previously reported. The congressman on Sunday admitted to making inappropriately sexual comments to staff members, but he blamed his resignation on Democratic leadership, saying they wanted to oust him for voting against the health care bill. Democratic leaders in the House and the White House have dismissed Massa's claims as "absurd" and "ridiculous." Now that Massa is officially out of office, he is out of the purview of the House ethics committee. In spite of the sexual harassment charges against Massa, some conservative pundits have trumpeted his conspiracy theory pinning his departure from Congress on Democratic leadership. He will be a guest for the full hour on Glenn Beck's TV show on Fox News this afternoon.
