Rep. Pat Meehan said Tuesday that although he saw one of his young aides as his “soulmate,” he denies making any sexual advances or romantic pursuits, despite paying her a settlement.
Mr. Meehan, Pennsylvania Republican, released a letter he wrote to the aide after he discovered she had a new boyfriend last year. He acknowledged not handling the news well when he initially found out because he said he knew it would change the nature of their relationship. The aide later filed a complaint and left her position in the office.
The letter was published in full in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Mr. Meehan was on the House Ethics Committee, which reviews cases of sexual harassment, when his actions were discovered. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan moved Mr. Meehan off the committee and now faces a review.
A New York Times report said Mr. Meehan cooperated with the investigation into his actions. Mr. Meehan said he only paid the settlement after he was told by House attorneys that it was common practice in order to end the matter quickly and quietly. He used taxpayer funds to settle the issue.
When asked if the Republican National Committee will stand by Mr. Meehan, who still plans on seeking re-election, Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel said it’s a wait-and-see situation.
“There’s an investigation going on there as well. We’ll get to the bottom of that,” Mrs. McDaniel said on CNN.
She added that she’ll leave the situation up to Mr. Ryan to handle until the investigation concludes.
• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.
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