Congressional Sexual Harassment Combatant Reportedly Used Tax Dollars to Settle His Own Harassment Case 

Eyyyy, what’s another dent in the absolutely fucking totaled facade of congressional ethics? The New York Times has reported that Congressman Patrick Meehan (R-PA), who investigated sexual misconduct allegations against his colleagues, faced his own sexual harassment allegations just last year. An anonymous source tells the Times that in 2017, Meehan paid an aide “thousands” in a settlement from his congressional office fund.

According to the report, Meehan declared his romantic interest in the aide after she became involved in a relationship and then he “became hostile when she did not reciprocate.”

In the midst of all this, Meehan sat on the House Ethics Committee, which was investigating other Congressmen Trent Franks (R-AZ), John Conyers (D-MI), who resigned, and Blake Farenthold (R-TX) and Ruben Kihuen (D-NV) who will not be seeking reelection (see Jezebel’s Bad Man list).

Meehan has prioritized sexual assault as a congressman. He co-authored legislation which requires criminal background checks of school employees, and he co-founded the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence, which has introduced legislation to improve access to sexual assault treatment and sexual assault kits. He frequently touts his record of championing of victims of sexual violence as a prosecutor.

Meehan’s office was not immediately available for comment at the time of publication. His former aide also refused request for comment by the New York Times.