Report: Rep. Paid $121K To Former Mistress

Democrat Tim Mahoney, Who Replaced Mark Foley, Calls For Ethics Probe Of Himself After Claims He Paid Off Staffer

(CBS/ AP)  Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, married with a child, declined to say Monday whether he had carried on an affair with a former aide and paid to keep her quiet, then called for an investigation by the House ethics committee into his own conduct.

Mahoney issued his statement hours after ABC News reported on its Web site that he had agreed to pay $121,000 in March to a former mistress and staff member after being threatened with a sexual harassment lawsuit. Mahoney said he would be vindicated.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also called for an investigation.

The network, citing unnamed current and former Mahoney staff members, said the congressman began his affair with Patricia Allen, 50, in 2006 while he was campaigning for Congress, promising to return morals to Washington.

On Tuesday, Mahoney read a statement with his wife, Terry at his side. He admitted he's caused "pain" in his marriage but denies paying hush money to a former aide to be quiet about an affair.

He says he takes "full responsibility" for his actions and the pain he caused his wife and daughter, but he did not directly admit having an affair.

Mahoney won the race after former Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Foley resigned when it was revealed he sent lurid Internet messages to male teenage pages who had worked on Capitol Hill. Foley was cleared of criminal wrongdoing by state and federal authorities.

Mahoney's bid to earn another term representing a district that has traditionally leaned slightly Republican was already considered one of the more competitive House races this fall.

Telephone messages left by The Associated Press for Mahoney and his congressional and campaign staff members were not returned Monday.

A Mahoney spokesperson told ABC that Allen resigned willingly and "has not received any special payment from campaign funds."

"While these allegations are based on hearsay, I believe that my constituents need a full accounting," Mahoney, who faces a Republican challenger in November's election, said in the release. "As such, I have requested the House Ethics Committee to review these allegations. I am confident that when the facts are presented that I will be vindicated."

Added Pelosi in her own statement: "These charges must be immediately and thoroughly investigated."

In addition to the cash payment, ABC News reported that Mahoney promised Allen a $50,000 a year job for two years at the agency that handles his campaign advertising.

That company, Nashville, Tenn.-based Fletcher Rowley Chao Riddle Inc., resigned from Mahoney's campaign later Monday.

"Tim Mahoney apparently included our company in a secret legal settlement without the knowledge of our firm. Our firm did not agree to any legal settlement," CEO Bill Fletcher said in a release. "If these allegations are true, Tim Mahoney's actions are unacceptable and not in line with FRCR's business ethics."

Mahoney is facing a stiff challenge in the November election. Former Army officer Tom Rooney, a lawyer whose family owns the Pittsburgh Steelers and a Palm Beach County dog track, is mounting a well-funded race aiming to win back the district for Republicans.

Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, heard rumors about an affair in early 2007 and confronted Mahoney, a spokeswoman said Monday.

"Upon hearing a rumor, Congressman Emanuel confronted Congressman Mahoney, told him he was in public life and had a responsibility to act accordingly and appropriately, and urged him to do so," the spokeswoman said. "They had no further conversations on this topic."

Friends of Allen's told ABC News that she wanted to end the affair, but Mahoney threatened to fire her is she did so.

"You work at my pleasure," Mahoney told Allen on a January 20, 2008 recorded telephone call, a portion of which was provided to ABC.

"If you do the job that I think you should do, you get to keep your job. Whenever I don't feel like you're doing your job, then you lose your job," Mahoney can be heard telling Allen.

"You're fired," he continued. "Do you hear me?"

Allen then asks why she is being fired, indicating there is another reason than her apparent inability to do her job.

"There is no why else," Mahoney responded.

"You're firing me for other reasons," Allen said on the call. "You don't, you're not man enough to say it. So why don't you say it."

Mahoney never admits to any affair in the portion of the tape obtained by ABC.

Allen did not return a telephone message from AP on Monday.

Allen's friends told the network that as part of the settlement, she was required to sign a letter of resignation indicating she left amicably.

[brucie2006]

At least Mahoney is GOING AFTER ADULT WOMEN, whereas, Repig Mark Foley was a pedophile.

[displeased]

$121K????
My God, what does that work out to per hour??
If she''''s not at least as hot Jessica Alba, I will be so disillusioned with our elected officials.
Posted by Questionnews

I hope she was hotter than Bill Clinton''s picks. Line his up and you''d think you were looking at a bar scene from a star wars movie.

[smurfcrusher]

"But I have to add (because the evidence demands it):

Thank heaven Mahoney''''s affairs with others in addition to herself pointed out to Allen how immoral Mahoney was to be having affairs, eh? "

Posted by ibsteve2u

Yeah, no kidding. He''s a nice guy if he cheats on his family with her, maybe not so nice if he cheats on them both.

[missingamerica]

The ABC website article includes this quote:

[bq]
Friends of Allen told ABC News that Allen sought to break off the affair when she learned Mahoney was allegedly involved in other extra-marital relationships at the same time.
[eq]

Mahoney was most definitely acting in an immoral manner.

But I have to add (because the evidence demands it):

Thank heaven Mahoney''s affairs with others in addition to herself pointed out to Allen how immoral Mahoney was to be having affairs, eh?

[liberalme]

Hahaha Mahoney is in my county--and won Mark Foleys seat, must be something exciting about that position!

[smurfcrusher]

In fact, I ALSO don''t give a *** if this was in fact a Republican set-up, given the timing of the release and the importance of Florida to the upcoming election.

This jerk took the bait, entrapment or not, so he needs to LEAVE. NOW.

[smurfcrusher]

This jerk needs to step down IMMEDIATELY.

I couldn''t give a *** whether or not he covered his tracks well enough to stand the scrutiny of an investigation.

We have no place for unethical behavior in EITHER party.

GET OUT

[patriotic9]

Mahoney issued his statement hours after ABC News reported on its Web site that he had agreed to pay $121,000 in March to a former mistress and staff member after being threatened with a sexual harassment lawsuit. Mahoney said he would be vindicated.

Now I understand why our economy is in such a bad shape!

[patriotic9]

That''s too much money but still less then what NY former Governor spent on Escort service.

[questionnews]

$121K????

My God, what does that work out to per hour??

If she''s not at least as hot Jessica Alba, I will be so disillusioned with our elected officials.

[runningralph]

It''s probably true. But it''s still way less offensive than than Foley''s shenanigans. It''s within the "live boy or dead girl" parameter. Mahoney should have just fought the sexual harrassment suit. It''s not harassment if the woman went along with it for two years. He''s a scumbag, but Obama got away with the Larry Sinclair fiasco. Mahoney pales in comparison.

[hatesthecolt]

CONGRATS CBS, unlike the NY Times and Wash Post, you have the guts to actually cover this story.

IF THIS GUY WAS A REPUBLICAN, IT WOULD BE 24/7 COVERAGE UNTIL THE ELECTION!

Oh please, get OFF your high horse. I have seen plenty fo times that republicans have defended creatures like this or been in denial. Look at Sarah Palin continuing to insist she never violated any ethics laws.

If he''s a pig, he''s a pig whether he''s a repub or a democrat and he needs to resign. And I say that as a proud Democrat who doesn''t feel we need creeps like this in the party and especially not in office.

[truthpig]

That''''s what he says, so that''''s all I can go on in making a decision, what the politicians promise us.

Posted by rafterman1

Okay, don''t have a thought of your own, let him tell you what to believe. OMG

[truthpig]

create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters...Posted by rafterman1

Yeah, for ACORN!!! Which he gave, from campaign funds, over 800k! He''s paying them to steal the election! Ha, ha, ha!!! You people are idiots.

[truthpig]

What Obama says verses what he means...

OBAMA
(reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)
Single making 30K - tax $8,400
Single making 50K - tax $14,000
Single making 75K - tax $23,250
Married making 60K - tax $16,800
Married making 75K - tax $21,000
Married making 125K - tax $38,750

Under Obama your taxes will
more than double!
How does this affect you? No explanation
needed. This is pretty
straight forward.

[questionnews]

I will withhold judgment until I see a picture of his mistress / girlfriend.

If she''s totally hot (think Debra LaFave) he may not been able to control himself, much like that little kid LaFave was banging. (Who could blame the kid!!)

But if she''s a total dog, well.......................

[usclimey]

I don''t care what party you are, if you prove to the world you can''t be faithful to your spouse, why should anyone in your district trust you? This guy''s obviously lied to his wife many times (either that or he''s being REALLY generous), he should resign and disappear - not try for vindication. If he has definite proof this woman''s rooking him, bring out the evidence now and maybe get a second chance, otherise bugger off.

[truthpig]

Roll back cuts on the rich and redirect them to the middle class, hence the 225,000 limit.
Posted by rafterman1

Really? Are you sure about that?

[truthpig]

Granted he doesn''''t have 50 years experience...Posted by RepForBarack

He doesn''t have 1 year of experience. What''s the old saying...actions speak louder than words? He''s nothing but a used car salesman.

[repforbarack]

I''''''''ve said he should be president ever since 2004.
He''''''''s a natural statesman/leader.
Posted by RepForBarack

How do you know he''''d be a good leader? What has he done to prove that to you? Or, is it all in what he says?
Posted by truthpig


Granted he doesn''t have 50 years experience but neither did Abraham Lincoln. His message holds a lot of water/substance. Bush/McCain never had a message...just slogans/status quo.