Massa details conversation that led to ethics probe
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/08/art.massa.file.gi.jpg caption="Rep. Eric Massa detailed on his weekly radio show the conversations that have led to an ethics investigation."](CNN) - Embattled Rep. Eric Massa said Sunday that the ethics investigation surrounding him stems from a sexually laced conversation he had at a New Year's Eve wedding.
The New York Democrat said in his weekly radio show that he wasn't told about the ethics probe until after he decided to retire and that he first learned the details of the investigation from news reports.
While at a wedding for one of his staff members, Massa said he danced with the bride and bridesmaid as cameras rolled.
"Absolutely nothing occurred," while he was dancing, he said.
Massa said he then sat with some staff members who were all bachelors. In a conversation fueled by alcohol, one staff member "made an intonation to me that maybe I should be chasing after the bridesmaid," Massa said.
Massa said he told the staffer beside him, "Well, what I really ought to be doing is fracking you."
Massa to resign Monday – 'deeply flawed,' he says
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/05/art.massa.file.gi.jpg caption="Rep. Eric Massa said Friday that he would resign next week."]Washington (CNN) – Embattled Rep. Eric Massa, D-New York, said Friday that he will resign from the House on Monday afternoon.
"I [resign] with a profound sense of failure and a deep apology to all those whom, for the past year, I tried to represent as our nation struggles with problems far greater than anyone can possibly imagine," Massa wrote in a statement posted on his House Web site.
On Wednesday, Massa had said he would not seek re-election because of health concerns and denied reports that he had harassed one of his Capitol Hill staffers.
The House Ethics Committee announced Thursday that it was "investigating and gathering additional information" on allegations against Massa.
Massa, in the statement Friday, said he had already decided to quit because of concerns about cancer before he learned that a staffer had complained to the Ethics panel.
"After I decided not to run again I was told, for the first time, that a member of my staff believed I had made statements that made him feel 'uncomfortable,'" Massa wrote.
Retiring Democrat denies harassment allegations
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/03/art.massa0303.gi.jpg caption="Rep. Eric Massa announced Wednesday that he will not seek a second term."]Washington (CNN) - Rep. Eric Massa, D-New York, denied reports Wednesday that he harassed one of his Capitol Hill staffers - announcing, however, that he would not seek re-election because of health concerns.
A spokeswoman for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer acknowledged that allegations of misconduct against Massa, 50, were under review by the House Ethics Committee.
Hoyer spokeswoman Katie Grant said that a member of Massa's staff told Hoyer's staff about the allegations, and Hoyer gave the retired Navy commander 48 hours to take the matter to the Ethics Committee.
"Within 48 hours, Mr. Hoyer received confirmation from both the Ethics Committee staff and Mr. Massa's staff that the Ethics Committee had been contacted and would review the allegations," Grant said. "Mr. Hoyer does not know whether the allegations are true or false, but wanted to ensure that the bipartisan committee charged with overseeing conduct of members was immediately involved to determine the facts."
The online journal Politico reported earlier Wednesday that Massa was stepping down "amid allegations he sexually harassed a male staffer," and a senior Democratic aide later told CNN that the allegations involved a male staffer who was made to feel uncomfortable.
The aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions among staff were private on a sensitive matter and because of the ongoing Ethics Committee investigation, said the allegation involved "a sexual implication."
Retiring Democrat denies harassment allegations
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/03/art.massa0303.gi.jpg caption="Rep. Eric Massa announced Wednesday that he will not seek a second term."]Washington (CNN) - Rep. Eric Massa, D-New York, denied reports Wednesday that he harassed one of his Capitol Hill staffers - announcing, however, that he would not seek re-election because of health concerns.
A spokeswoman for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer acknowledged that allegations of misconduct against Massa, 50, were under review by the House Ethics Committee.
Hoyer spokeswoman Katie Grant said that a member of Massa's staff told Hoyer's staff about the allegations, and Hoyer gave the retired Navy commander 48 hours to take the matter to the Ethics Committee.
"Within 48 hours, Mr. Hoyer received confirmation from both the Ethics Committee staff and Mr. Massa's staff that the Ethics Committee had been contacted and would review the allegations," Grant said. "Mr. Hoyer does not know whether the allegations are true or false, but wanted to ensure that the bipartisan committee charged with overseeing conduct of members was immediately involved to determine the facts."
The online journal Politico reported earlier Wednesday that Massa was stepping down "amid allegations he sexually harassed a male staffer," and a senior Democratic aide later told CNN that the allegations involved a male staffer who was made to feel uncomfortable.
The aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions among staff were private on a sensitive matter and because of the ongoing Ethics Committee investigation, said the allegation involved "a sexual implication."
New York Democrat will not seek another term
Washington (CNN) – Rep. Eric Massa, a New York Democrat elected in 2008, will announce Wednesday that he will not seek a second term, two high-level Democratic sources confirm to CNN.
Massa has a 3:30 p.m. ET press call to discuss his decision.
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