Washington – The Washington Post reported Tuesday afternoon that former Rep. Eric Massa was being investigations for allegedly groping “multiple male staffers.”
The Washington Post cites three “three sources familiar with the probe” and says the allegations date back more than a year.
Last week announcing that he would not run again, Massa had admitted to using “salty language” but said that poorly-sourced reporting and rumor-mongering is "a symptom of what is wrong with this city." Prior to those statements, reports surfaced alleging that the House ethics panel is reviewing a complaint against Massa by a male staffer who reportedly felt uncomfortable in a situation with Massa that had sexual overtones.
Massa flew out of Rochester to New York City for interviews with Fox News' Glenn Beck and CNN's Larry King.
Speaking Tuesday afternoon with WHAM 1180’s Bob Lonsberry, Beck said “I don't care, I'm not in it to destroy you. I don't need the ratings help. I'm not part of a political party so nobody's going to give you a fairer interview than me… However, you got to come clean…. You gotta say what the deal is and then tell me what's going on.”
On Beck’s Fox News show Tuesday, acknowledges he groped a staff member but denies it was sexual, saying it took place during horseplay at a wild party.
“No, no, no. There's a big difference... When you take things out of context in Washington D.C., this is what the whole crux of this conversation is about,” Massa said. “See everybody loves an independent member of Congress until you are one, and the minute you step out of the mold, then the whip starts cracking.”
Massa admitted on Beck’s show to being inappropriate with staff members but denied anything sexually inappropriate or criminal. He re-asserted his locker room encounter with Rahm Emanuel.
However, at the end of the show Beck, who appeared frustrated throughout the interview, looked at the camera and told his audience: “I think I’ve wasted your time.”
The women on ABC's "The View" also chimed in about Massa Tuesday. They referred to the multiple explanations Massa has offered for leaving office, including that he was forced out by party leaders because of his opposition to health care legislation.
They also mentioned his appearance on his Hornell radio show, calling White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel "son of the devil's spawn."
