Ethics Probe of Dem Leaders’ Handling of Massa Scandal Fails

House Democrats on Thursday stopped a Republican bid to force an investigation of Democratic leaders aimed at determining whether they covered up sexual harassment allegations against ex-Rep. Eric Massa.

Even in failure, Republicans planted questions about when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi learned about allegations from Massa’s employees that he sexually harassed male staff members. The freshman New York Democrat resigned Monday amid a slew of conflicting statements in which he confirmed and denied that he groped staff members and argued that none of the contact was sexual.
By trying to make Democratic leaders rather than Massa the investigative subjects, Republicans attempted to turn the tables on the party that used ethical misconduct to win control of the House in 2006.

Read more: (Larry Margasak and Andrew Miga, “GOP Loses Bid for Ethics Probe of Dem Leaders,” Associated Press, 03/12/10)