Weiner chat partner Sydney Leathers felt 'manipulated'
Updated at 5:32 p.m. ET on 7/25
(CNN) – The woman who exchanged the sexually explicit messages that have thrown Anthony Weiner's New York City mayoral campaign into damage control mode said Thursday the former congressman deceived her when he contacted her online.
"I felt manipulated," Sydney Leathers told the television program "Inside Edition." "Obviously I felt like he's saying one thing to me, another thing to his wife, saying another thing on the campaign trail. I don't know who the real Anthony Weiner is I guess."
Later, Leathers claimed Weiner became "controlling" toward the end of their online relationship.
"He would tell me that he would be jealous," Leathers said. "He would look at my Facebook frequently. He would tell me that he would get jealous if other men would compliment me. Just little stuff like that."
Weiner's campaign declined to comment on the interview with Leathers.
READ MORE: Weiner's poll numbers tumble
The messages between Weiner and Leathers – some of which included lewd photographs of Weiner - came to light Tuesday on the gossip website TheDirty. The site claimed Weiner vowed to purchase a condominium for Leathers in Chicago, as well as secure her a place on a panel for political bloggers.
A friend of Leathers told CNN on Wednesday the 23-year-old Indiana native was a strong supporter of the New York politician even after he resigned from Congress amid similar circumstances two years ago.
READ MORE: Pelosi blasts Weiner: Do your therapy in private
Leathers actively posts about politics and her Democratic views on Facebook, and had previously included Weiner in a list of political heroes.
She said in the "Inside Edition" interview she was blown away that the former congressman would revert to the behavior that led to his resignation from Congress in 2011.
"I was shocked because I didn't think he would be so foolish as to do the same thing all over again," she said. "He was making these campaign promises that he had totally changed, and he was a better man now, and he learned from his mistakes, and I have proof that that was not true."
Leathers "cared" about Weiner, she said, and knew that he wanted her to erase any evidence of their "very sexual" conversations.
But now, as their conversations have come to light, Leathers no longer sees Weiner in quite the same way.
Asked by "Inside Edition" correspondent Jim Moret whether Weiner was trying to "pull one over" on voters, Leathers replied, "Absolutely."
"Otherwise he wouldn't have went on the whole 'I'm a changed man, I've learned my lesson, I wouldn't have said those things' if he wasn't trying to be someone he wasn't," she said.
Her verdict of Weiner now? She recalled a description the politician used about himself in one of their conversations.
"The exact wording was that he was an argumentative, perpetually horny middle aged man," she said. "And at the time, I was like, 'Oh no, you're not.' But yes, he is."
Sources: Huma Abedin considered leaving Weiner last fall
Weiner resists calls to withdraw as woman who received messages is identified
From CNN Politics
- Obama comes face to face with burdens of 9/11 generation September 29, 2016 01:35 am
- Faces of the military at the Obama town hall September 29, 2016 02:15 am
- Obama says Congress made a 'mistake' overriding his veto September 28, 2016 11:04 pm
- Obama seeks to reassure tearful widow about treating PTSD September 29, 2016 02:39 am
- Obama defends Kaepernick's anthem protest September 29, 2016 01:47 am
- Obama: Why I won't say 'Islamic terrorism' September 29, 2016 01:55 am
These two deserve each other
UGH
To those who say that a 23 year old knew better or should have known better, I would say "Yes, you're probably right, but she's young and her judgment isn't fully developed." And she wasn't running for public office. How about the 48 year old ex-congressman, falsely claiming to have reformed and running again for office? His judgment is less developed than that of a 13 year old boy with raging hormones and little or no experience of the world.
Weiner has demonstrated a clear and persistent pattern of misjudging what normal people should value in a him.
When is he withdrawing from the race. Who cares about this lady!
Is his name pronounced "Weener" or "Whiner"? It doesn't matter, because he is "toast". He obviously does not deserve the office to which he aspires. He is totally clueless about what values matter most to voters. And his wife...well, let's leave her in never-never-land...she is lost in a dark valley of misplaced values and aspirations.
So tired of these stupid women making stupid decisions and surprised by the outcome. What was she thinking about having a "relationship" with someone online instead of in person? Second, WTH was she having inappropriate conversations with a married man? Talk about being unavailable in every way. She might as well be having a relationship with a prisoner.
Weiner, in true addict fashion, is in a state of panic, knowing that without political celebrity, eventually, over time, these women will lose interest. It's the only reason he wants to be mayor of NY.
I can't believe no one else cared to mention one VERY BROAD detail: his wife is drop-dead gorgeous, while the Leathers Lady is very homely and ridiculously dour.
It's got to be the exposure these women get in society because this skinny runt isn't worth the time of day for a beautiful woman.
Boy, isn't she classy!
wait a minute everyone deserves a second, third, fourth etc chance.
Another idiot whoah grabbing at her 15 minutes.
Still waiting on the headline for David Vitter before I care whatsoever about this man's infidelity.
Other than the national inquirer (aka CNN) who cares ?
yeah... and you shouldn't trust anybody or anything that comes from a mouth that has that color lipstick... now that's grandstanding
Two consenting adults.
Another idiot grabbing at her 15 minutes.
Its clear she is in this for the publicity and the money...the book is coming; both of them slime.
Much as I think Weiner is an idiot and not worthy of any public office ever again, nothing this woman says has any credibility for me.
Her behavior is just as reprehensible as his, and she's just as much to blame for her ghastly habits and life and Weiner is for his.
and SHE feels manipulated?
This is old news. Nobody cares.
Deceived voters, aye? Isn't that what all Democrats do? I'm trying to figure out it... why, exactly, is this guy news?
"Otherwise he wouldn't have went . . . ."
WIth that kind of skilled grammar, this woman is definitely destined for the blogosphere.
What is the big deal about this guy? Just don't vote for him NY city. problem solved!!!
This woman acts and talks so innocent. She knew what she was doing and most likely is looking for some bucks in the future. I can see G. Allred already contacting her. She knew exactly what she was doing, and now is trying to back away from her acts, blaming Weiner. She was a manipulater too. Women have a way to blame the men for all their misdeeds, but the reader understand she was getting a buzz from the email and phone calls. She could have stopped them at any time. but NO, she continued the contact and now is looking for MONEY. Time is tell us Leathers