GOP: Keep open mind on Meehan scandal allegations
Delaware County Republicans on Monday urged voters not to jump to conclusions regarding allegations that U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-7 of Chadds Ford, used taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment complaint from a former staffer.
“There are always two sides to a story,” said Michael Puppio, the Springfield Republican Party chairman and chairman of Meehan’s election campaigns. “Hopefully the constituents of the 7th Congressional District will not rush to judgment on reports that were based on unnamed sources and wait until the facts are available for public view before coming to a conclusion.”
The New York Times published a story Saturday alleging Meehan used office funds to settle the complaint last year after a former aide accused him of making unwanted romantic overtures toward her.
Meehan, a married father of three who has served in Washington since 2011, denied the harassment claim in a statement, but indicated he is bound by the conditions of a confidentiality agreement from commenting further.
Delaware County Republican Party Chairman Andy Reilly said he had not heard anything of the matter until someone forwarded him the Times story Saturday and he had not spoken with Meehan or his staff by Monday afternoon.
“Hopefully there will be a process for both Pat and the staffer to get due process,” said Reilly. “He is entitled to due process, as is the former employee, and there will be a House investigation and I think Pat’s going to cooperate with that.”
Reilly said it is up to Meehan whether he wants to run for re-election, but Delco Republicans will not hold endorsement meetings until mid-February. He said there are typically a few Republicans eying a congressional run and the party will keep the nominating and endorsement process open.
“This is all new and the senator is shocked, quite frankly,” said Michael Rader, a spokesman for state Sen. Tom McGarrigle, R-26 of Springfield. “Congressman Meehan has been a dedicated public servant for over 30 years and has denied the factual allegations of any type of harassment. All such allegations do need to be taken very seriously while understanding that every individual, even in this very judgmental environment, is entitled to due process and an ability to present their side of the story.”
Meehan spokesman John Elizandro did not have an update Monday. He referred to an initial statement denying the allegations Saturday that called for reform of the process to resolve complaints. Both parties are bound by a confidentiality agreement.
“At Congressman Meehan’s request, the congressional attorneys handling the case have asked the complainant’s counsel to release all parties from the confidentiality requirements of the agreement to ensure a full and open airing of all the facts,” Elizandro said. “The congressman is hopeful that they will agree to this request for full transparency.”
An attorney for the former staffer, who was reportedly not a source for the Times story, has indicated her client does not wish for that to happen.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Democrats in the race have meanwhile called for Meehan, a former Delaware County district attorney and U.S. attorney for eastern Pennsylvania, to step down. Information technology consultant Drew McGinty said the settlement “is just another example of Washington’s incompetence when handling issues related to sexual misconduct,” while attorney Dan Muroff said House leadership should strip Meehan of his assignments does not resign.
“That Meehan was allowed to remain a member of the House Ethics Committee while working to settle his own sexual harassment claims, with taxpayer money, demonstrates a stunning lack of personal ethics and is an absolute disgrace,” said Muroff.
U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, removed Meehan from the House Ethics Committee Saturday and launched an investigation. committee if he