Posted on 04/16/2010 4:21:09 PM PDT by La Enchiladita
Former Rep. Eric Massa wrote a check for $40,000 to his chief of staff the day after he announced he was resigning from Congress amid allegations he had behave inappropriately with members of his staff, the Washington Post reports, citing federal campaign records.
The money the New York Democrat paid to chief of staff Joe Racalto was described as a "campaign management fee." Racalto told the Post the payment was for work on Massa's 2010 reelection campaign.
But the payment will surely raise questions in light of reports that Massa had sexually harassed male ...members of his staff, including interns. This week a former aide to Massa reportedly filed a sexual harassment complaint against the former representative. According to the aide, Massa made a habit of groping and propositioned him and made lewd remarks to him and other staffers.
The staffer's attorney, Debra Katz, deemed Massa's behavior "out of control."
"The congressman routinely made gestures implying that he wanted oral sex, and made crude propositions requesting oral sex from his employees," she said.
Massa had admitted to groping staffers but insisted that the contact was non-sexual. According to a previous story in the Post, Racalto and deputy Massa chief of staff Ron Hikel spent a year trying to address Massa's behavior internally before eventually reporting the boss to congressional leaders.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
Would a rose by any other name smell as sweetly?
Massa has Rahm’s fingerprints all over him.
And probably gobs of fecal matter as well.
When you flame out of Congress as spectacularly as former Rep. Eric Massa, it’s going to cost you. In Massa’s case, $111,960.30.
That’s how much his campaign committee has returned to donors since he departed Congress under allegations of fondling and harassing make staffers.
Among those getting refunds: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Democratic House Whip Jim Clyburn — $2,000 each.
I think that this money should be called “tea bag” money. Ask Anderson Cooper to explain.
My goodness, Democrat in the second paragraph, from See BS. I’m amazed.
The House Ethics Committee lacks ethics so where is the surprise coming from?
But he served the public well and made America a better place so what's the big deal? /s
the payment will surely raise questions in light of reports that Massa had sexually harassed male ...members of his staff, including interns. This week a former aide to Massa reportedly filed a sexual harassment complaint against the former representative.I disagree. There is no question about what Massa is, what he did, and to which party he belonged. Funny how *his* private e-messages weren't leaked by Demwits in Congress. Thanks La Enchiladita.
The people of NY are going to really enjoy all of these revelations soon to come. I bet millions wish they could return Massa to Congress already.
Joe Racalto started his career in Congress as a Legislative Aide to Barney FRank in 2001.
He was hired by Massa on Jan 3, 2009 as Chief of Staff.
Looky here: http://www.legistorm.com/person/Joseph_Racalto/12882.html
A comic soap opera in the making as the details are flushed out?
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