Rep. Eric Massa Resigns, Takes Responsibility for Harassment Charges

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Congress

(AP)

Updated at 4:15 p.m. ET.

Accepting responsibility for the charges of ethical misconduct against him, Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) announced today he is resigning his seat in Congress, effective Monday.

"I do so with a profound sense of failure and a deep apology to all those whom, for the past year, I tried to represent as our Nation struggles with problems far greater than anyone can possibly imagine," Massa said in a statement on his Web site.

The freshman representative already announced this week he would not seek another term, citing a battle with cancer. While allegations had surfaced that Massa sexually harassed a male member of his staff, the congressman initially said the charges were unsubstantiated.

However, Massa said in his statement today that after he decided not to run again, he was told for the first time that a member of his staff believed he had made "statements that made him feel 'uncomfortable.'" A report on the incident has been filed with the Congressional ethics committee.

"I own this reality," Massa said. "There is no doubt in my mind that I did in fact, use language in the privacy of my own home and in my inner office that, after 24 years in the Navy, might make a Chief Petty Officer feel uncomfortable."

While accepting culpability, Massa said that, "with the destruction of our elected leaders having become a blood sport," an ethics investigation would tear his family and staff apart.

Massa's resignation may make it slightly easier for Democrats to get enough votes to pass a health care bill -- he was one of 39 House Democrats to vote against health care. He said the bill did not do enough to make the insurance industry competitive, among other things.

Republicans had been optimistic about overtaking Massa's seat in New York's right-leaning 29th congressional district.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by pattjenks March 10, 2010 3:00 AM EST: The best way to avoid sexual harassment and crazy bosses is by doing research about potential bosses on sites like eBossWatch.; Reply to this comment


by thirtyeyes March 5, 2010 6:39 PM EST: Wow. What a tough choice. The staffer turned in his boss for making "off color" remarks about gays? (That is what it sounds like to me.) Then his boss quits and the staffer is unemployed. I guess he can still sue the congressman personally, but he sure has screwed his career.; Reply to this comment


by endurorob_5 March 5, 2010 5:27 PM EST: Speaking as a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer I can say there is no language that makes a Chief uncomfortable but we do know where and when to use that type of language. Apperently the soon to be former Rep. does not.; Reply to this comment

by rbi149 March 5, 2010 4:39 PM EST

Isn't it amazing that when Democratic Congressmen and Senators are found to be guilty of wrong-doing that they leave office while Republican'ts in the same situation JUST KEEP SERVING? Any idea when Mark Sanford will be leaving office?

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by hateisafourletterword March 5, 2010 7:39 PM EST: rbi149 - you struck out today RBI man. No runs batted in today.

Do you by chance remember which party went to the President in 1974 and said, "Mr. President we are here to let you know that you must resign for the good of the country"? Any memory of that incident.

So in one year how many democrats have had ethics charges filed and/or resigned due to problems? It should be reversed considering the sizable advantage and control democrats have and yet it is not. Why?