Congress April 27, 2018

Rep. Patrick Meehan Resigns Immediately, Will Pay Back Settlement Money

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) (L) and Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-PA), speak to the media about todays shooting at the Congressional baseball practice, on June 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. This morning House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) and others were shot by a gunman during Congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Another Congressman is resigning effective immediately after being accused of sexual harassment. This time it’s Pennsylvania Republican Patrick Meehan. He is vacating a seat he has held since 2010.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

“The Delaware County Republican had already announced that he was not seeking reelection, but his announcement speeds his departure from Congress, and will end an Ethics Committee investigation into his conduct.”

Back in January Meehan announced he would be retiring after reports surfaced that he used taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment complaint from a former aide, someone he called his soul mate. It appears he stepped aside earlier than expected to avoid an ethics investigation.

Meehan released a statement that reads in part:

“I have decided that stepping down now is in the interest of the constituents I have been honored to serve.”

“While I do believe I would be exonerated of any wrongdoing, I also did not want to put my staff through the rigors of an Ethics Committee investigation and believed it was best for them to have a head start on new employment rather than being caught up in an inquiry. And since I have chosen to resign, the inquiry will not become a burden to taxpayers and committee staff.”

“I will pay $39,000.00 to the U.S. Treasury to reimburse for the severance payment that was made from my office account. That payment will be made within 30 days of my resignation from the House of Representatives. I did not want to leave with any question of violating the trust of taxpayers.”

As for filling his seat, The Hill reports:

“Pennsylvania state law mandates that the governor set a date for a special election within 10 days of Meehan’s resignation. That date must be no earlier than 60 days from Friday, the date of Meehan’s resignation.

In that special election, candidates will run for the right to finish Meehan’s term until the end of the year. There won’t be an official primary ballot, as the political parties will pick their own candidates during nominating conventions.”