Over the weekend, the New York Times reported that Representative Pat Meehan—a member of the Ethics Committee who claimed to be aiding efforts to change how Congress handles sexual harassment allegations—had himself used thousands of tax dollars to secretly settle a sexual harassment lawsuit from a former staffer.
But the scandal didn’t end there. Yesterday, Meehan confirmed the allegations and claimed the former staffer, whom he described as his “soul mate,” “specifically invited” his behavior, which included:
- “Lashing out” in his office when told of the woman’s relationship with her serious boyfriend
- Admitting that he went “hardest on the ones that you care about the most about.”
- Inviting her out to ice cream, where he professed his affection, and then walking her home where he exchanged a hug with her that lasted “maybe longer that night than needed to be.”
- Sending her a letter rife with vows of affection, signing it “With all of my heart, Patrick.”
Yet throughout the entire disturbing affair, Representative Lloyd Smucker, who represents the adjacent district and has often partnered with Meehan, has remained silent.
“Does Representative Smucker think it’s acceptable that Representative Meehan used thousands of taxpayer dollars to secretly settle a sexual harassment lawsuit?” asked DCCC Communications Director Meredith Kelly. “And if not, is he prepared to call on Meehan to resign? These are questions that Smucker needs to answer immediately.”
In fact, Smucker’s own record on workplace sexual harassment is spotty. Last February, Smucker voted to eliminate safeguards that protected hundreds of thousands of federal contractors against sexual harassment.
Kelly concluded, “The time for paying lip service to victims and turning a blind eye is over. It’s time for Smucker to break his silence.”
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