GOP Congressman Paying Ex-Mistress $500K

AP: Source Says Woman Could Lose Some Cash From Sherwood If She Talks Before Election

(AP)  A Republican congressman accused of abusing his ex-mistress agreed to pay her about $500,000 in a settlement last year that contained a powerful incentive for her to keep quiet until after Election Day, a person familiar with the terms of the deal told The Associated Press.

Rep. Don Sherwood is locked in a tight re-election race against a Democratic opponent who has seized on the four-term congressman's relationship with the woman. While Sherwood acknowledged the woman was his mistress, he denied abusing her and said that he had settled her $5.5 million lawsuit on confidential terms.

The settlement, reached in November 2005, called for Cynthia Ore to be paid in installments, according to a person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal is confidential. She has received less than half the money so far, and will not get the rest until after the Nov. 7 election, the person said Thursday.

A confidentiality clause requires Ore to forfeit some of the money if she talks publicly about the case, according to this person and two other people familiar with elements of the case.

It is common in settlements for payments to be made in installments and for the parties to be held to confidentiality.

Sherwood admitted no wrongdoing, a standard provision in such agreements, this person said.

Sherwood, a 65-year-old married father of three who is considered a family-values conservative, had one of the safest seats in Congress until Ore sued him in June 2005, alleging he physically abused her throughout their five-year affair.

Reached by telephone Wednesday, the congressman and successful car dealer said: "I can neither confirm nor deny because this was a private settlement. If I'd like to talk to you about it, I can't."

The Associated Press has been trying for months to find out the terms of the settlement.

According to a police report, Ore called 911 on her cell phone from the bathroom of Sherwood's Capitol Hill apartment in 2004 and reported that Sherwood had choked her while giving her a back rub. Sherwood admitted having an affair with the woman, but vehemently denied ever hurting her, and criminal charges were never filed. But Ore, now 30, sued for damages.

Sherwood's challenger, Chris Carney, has hammered the congressman over the affair in TV ads, calling Sherwood a hypocrite who brought "Washington values" to his rural northeastern Pennsylvania district.

Sherwood responded with his own ad, in which he looked directly into the camera and apologized for his conduct. Last month, his wife mailed a letter to voters that accused Carney of "needlessly cruel" campaign tactics.

Although GOP voters greatly outnumber Democrats in his conservative district, many people have said they would not vote for him again because of the affair.

Even before Ore settled, the congressman tried to keep a tight lid on the case. His lawyer asked a judge to prohibit disclosure of materials from the case, warning that Sherwood's opponents might try to use the information to harm him politically.

The lawyer, Bobby Burchfield, was especially adamant that any videotaped deposition of Sherwood not be released, saying the footage could be used against him in negative political ads. Ore's attorney, Ning Ye of New York, declined to say where she is living now or how she can be reached.

[frankbowers]

How sad and they (the republicans)impeached poor bill for getting a free ***. How dare the democrats to say anything about the party of HIGHER MORALS for giving a half million to a *** to keep her quit until after the election. Monica at least did not require that from Bill prehaps he was a better stud then the RNC has to offer. The best of good by from a happy ex republican frank bowers in austin, tx

[themooniac]

Another twisted Republican. How many does that make this week??? Ahh who's counting.

[processor2]

What did liberals say in the 1990's....oh,yeah

"it's a private matter and none of our business, just let him do his job"

I guess liberals don't believe that anymore

(or just when Dem's do it...heaven forbid if a Republican acts like a Democrat, then liberals get upset)

[rorolane]

Restoring family values to the white house and the government. Thank you GOP

[rharrin1]

processor2
It was you and the other conservative idiots that went after clinton but you over loaded your mouth this time. The gop even made him go under oath which I couldn't understand why was his s_x life the gop's business. In that time period there was 1 this time period how many have you got? Don't preach values until you are ready to live by them.One more thing when I was growing up I was taught to protect a womans reputation even if I had to LIE. Not like you stand on a corner bragging

[djjimz]

It%u2019s the hypocrisy, Stupid!

[djjimz]

It%u2019s the hypocrisy, Stupid!

[jetlizhan]

Lord help us all - so much evil in this world. . . .two descriptions for candidates as seen on tv commercials 1) they're all good
2) they're all bad

who the hell do we trust on this earthly life?

[roach9703]

It's nice to see how Bill Clinton is a model for Conservatives, too. ...Willey please?

[tejasdemo]

Republicans are just crooks and liars and I agree that this moron has the same evil look that Cheney has.

Let's see. So far today (just today, mind you) we have a gay bashing preacher who we find out is actually a meth loving gay man.

We also have behind door number 2 a self righteaous Republican congressman who is paying a mistress off with taxpayer money.

Yea, Republicans are good and moral and Democrats are bad and evil.

Lol

[pudd54]

If he looks like Chaney, maybe that is why he had to pay her 5.5 million to have an affair with him.

[mjv2944]

Take a close look at this guy, he has the same evil look that Chaney has.

[jhindson1]

What ? another Family Values Hypocrite.

At least Clinton did not choke anyone with his hands. LOL

[webdepot]

Anti Clinton, anti gay, anti choice, anti liberal, anti, anti, anti.... seems bashing is about the only thing Republicans are capable of doing...
That is, unless it's invading innocent countries, forcing regime change because they want to, murdering felons who MAY be guilty (it is rather amazing how convicted felons have been found innocent with the advances in technology).

Let's face it.... Republicans and Conservatives are biggest class of hypocritical sheeple in this country... What better rationale for prohibiting "faith based" laws in this country... Faith based laws make us no better than radical Muslims and the Taliban.

[mjv2944]

I bet its all Clintons fault! This self-rightous phoney is just another one who happened to get caught, and I'm sure there are plenty on both sides of the aisle who haven't got caught. Vote out all incumbents!

[oleander8]

The difference in a Democratic scoundrel and a Republican scoundrel is - the holier-than-thou, family-values, self-rightous rhetoric spewed by the Republicans. The hypocrisy of the fellows on the right side of the aisle is a slap in the face to the folks they mislead. Karma, baby - Karma.

[saraity100]

Is he one of the so called Republicans, in other words, Conservatives?

[tejasdemo]

Republicans are crooks and liars. This is just the latest example.

What a bunch of self righteaous jerks this guys are !

[processor2]

find it hypocritical that liberals who defended Clinton's scum-bagginess, are the same liberals who now attack Republican's for doing the same thing Democrats do ?!?!?!?

What did liberals say in the 1990's....oh,yeah

"it's a private matter and none of our business, just let him do his job"

I guess liberals don't believe that anymore

(or just when Dem's do it...heaven forbid if a Republican acts like a Democrat, then liberals get upset)

[phlip217]

Hypocrisy, thy name is Don (it's also Ted -- see my post on the Evangelical Meth Head).