Congressman faces ethics probe over sex claims

House of Representatives Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called for an ethics investigation Monday into sexual misconduct allegations against Representative David Wu.

Pelosi called for the investigation after reported accusations that the Oregon Democrat had an unwanted sexual encounter with the teen-aged daughter of a campaign donor.

“With deep disappointment and sadness about this situation, I hope that the Ethics Committee will take up this matter,” Pelosi said in a statement Sunday.

Story: Pelosi calls for ethics probe into Wu sex report

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Pelosi said she would send a formal request to the House Ethics Committee on Monday.

Despite the allegations, Wu has insisted that he will not resign, The Oregonian newspaper quoted a senior Democratic official as saying. However, the seven term representative will not seek reelection and will retire after his term ends, a Wu adviser told POLITICO late Sunday night.

The chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Representative Steve Israel of New York, backed Pelosi’s decision.

“New allegations of unacceptable behavior by Congressman Wu are extremely serious and disturbing,” Israel said.

Erratic behavior
The new allegations follow other behavior problems for Wu.

He announced in February that he was undergoing psychiatric treatment after his staff complained about his erratic behavior in the run up to the November 2010 Congressional elections.

They said Wu had behaved strangely at meetings and had emailed pictures of himself wearing a tiger suit to staff. Several key staff members resigned following the election.

Wu, who represents the Portland area, is in his seventh two-year term in the House. Two Democrats have already announced they will seek Wu’s seat in the 2012 congressional election.

Former Representative Anthony Weiner, a New York Democrat, resigned in June over an Internet sex scandal.

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Tags: congressman, David Wu faces, Democratic leader, political news, sexual misconduct, sexual misconduct allegations

Category: Politics