Young woman accuses Oregon Rep. David Wu of unwanted sexual encounter, says report

(CBS/KOIN/AP) PORTLAND, Ore. - House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has requested an ethics panel investigation of Rep. David Wu over a woman's reported accusation that she had an "unwanted sexual encounter" with the Oregon Democrat last year.

Pelosi issued a statement Sunday night calling on the House Ethics Committee to begin looking into the allegations against Wu.

The embattled representative from Oregon's First District has served seven terms, and although there are calls for him to resign, Wu and his staff have remained quiet about recent allegations, reports CBS affiliate KOIN.

According to sources cited in the Oregonian, who first published the story last Friday, Wu acknowledged a sexual encounter to his senior aides but insisted it was consensual.

The woman is the daughter of a longtime friend and campaign donor who graduated from high school in 2010. She apparently did not contact police at the time, reports the station.

According to the paper, the unwanted, aggressive sexual activity took place in Southern California three weeks after the election.

In a one-sentence statement released from his spokesperson, Wu said he did not want to bring unwanted attention to the young woman.

"This is very serious, and I have absolutely no desire to bring unwanted publicity, attention, or stress to a young woman and her family," said Wu, reports the station.

Pelosi and other democratic leaders met with Wu on Saturday afternoon to discuss the recent allegations.

Wu has been in turmoil since before the February election when several staffers left, citing his strange and erratic behavior, according to the station.

The ethics panel will be able to subpoena staffers and Wu himself, but does not have the responsibility of charging Wu with a crime. The Ethics Committee will decide if Wu brought disrepute to the House.

On Wednesday, July 27, 2011, the Washington County Democrat Party will hold their monthly meeting where they will decide whether to give Wu a vote of no confidence.

According to Politico.com, Wu will not seek re-election in 2012, but will also not resign from his current term.