Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) Under Investigation for Allegedly Groping Staffers

Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.), who recently resigned his seat, is being investigated for allegedly groping male staffers according to the Washington Post.

Rep. Eric Massa (D – N.Y.), who in a whirlwind of activity last week first announced he was not running for reelection, then that he would resign his seat, is now embroiled in an ethics scandal involving allegations that he groped male staffers on various occasions, according to the Washington Post.

Former Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) has been under investigation for allegations that he groped multiple male staffers working in his office, according to three sources familiar with the probe.

The allegations surrounding the former lawmaker date back at least a year, and involve “a pattern of behavior and physical harassment,” according to one source. The new claims of alleged groping contradict statements by Massa, who resigned his office on Monday after it became public that he was the subject of a House ethics committee investigation for possible harassment.

Massa first claimed that he would not seek re-election due to a recurrence of cancer, and later claimed he was being forced to resign due to an orchestrated effort on behalf of leadership to help pass health care reform, on which he was expected to be a “no” vote.  Democratic leadership have called his charges absurd.

Massa was a first-term congressman.