Ethics Investigation Must Answer: What Did Democratic Leaders Know? When Did They Know? What Did They Do to Protect Staff and Interns?

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement on the House Ethics Committee’s decision to start a formal investigation regarding how allegations against former Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY) were handled by Members of Congress and staff outside his office, including top House Democratic Leaders:

“The American people have the right to expect their elected leaders to adhere to the highest possible standards of ethical conduct. Members of Congress, especially Leaders, have clear responsibilities when it comes to protecting Congressional employees and interns from harassment and abuse. I hope this investigation will establish, in a timely fashion, whether the Democratic leadership lived up to those standards in the case involving Congressman Massa and his employees.

“News reports indicate that Congressman Massa’s pattern of troubling behavior continued long after Democratic Leaders first became aware of his conduct. Speaker Pelosi’s staff has acknowledged they knew about problems in Mr. Massa’s office back in the fall of 2009, and House Majority Leader Hoyer’s office was contacted at least several days before the allegations were publicly known.

“We need answers to serious questions: what did Democratic Leaders know about former Rep. Massa’s conduct? When did they know? What did they do to protect the staff and interns who were being subjected to harassment by their boss?”

Washington, Apr 21 - Office of the House Republican Leader H-204 The Capitol || Washington, DC 20515 || p. (202) 225-4000 || f. (202) 225-5117|| Click here to email the Republican Leader