Ethics Panel Ends Massa Probe

The House Democratic campaign chief said Wednesday the ethics committee has ended an investigation of former Rep. Eric Massa, but the freshman’s alleged harassment of his staff members with possible sexual overtones could spell continuing trouble for the party.
Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., the campaign chairman, acknowledged that the end of an investigation into the New York Democrat’s possible rule-breaking may not end the matter.
“When he resigned his seat, clearly the complaints filed with the ethics committee went away,” Van Hollen said on an ABC News webcast.
He quickly added, “There may be other forums” for staff members who complained about Massa to pursue the matter.
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When the complaints about Massa reached Majority Leader Steny Hoyer this month, he demanded that Massa’s staff report the conduct within two days to the ethics committee. If not, Hoyer said he would make the report.
Republicans are clearly hoping it may turn out that some Democrats knew of Massa’s alleged harassment. There is no evidence at this point that they did.
However a Democratic leadership aide, who was not authorized to be quoted, confirmed Wednesday night that in October, Massa’s chief of staff met with a staff member in Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office to discuss problems with the lawmaker.
The Massa aide pointed out a negative story about the lawmaker in his hometown newspaper that described Massa’s living arrangements with staff members. The Massa aide told the speaker’s office that he asked the congressman, who is married, to move out.
Massa’s aide also discussed Massa’s use of strong language and the way he ran his office.

Read more: (Larry Margasak, “House Leader: Ethics Panel Ends Massa Probe,” Associated Press, 03/11/10)