Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-PA, 7th) resigned today, bringing an end to the Ethics Committee’s investigation into allegations that he sexually harassed a former staffer.
Pictured: Rep. Patrick Meehan
“While I do believe that I would be exonerated of any wrongdoing, I also did not want to put my staff through the rigors of an Ethics Committee investigation and believed it was best for them to have a head start on new employment rather than being caught up in an inquiry,” the congressman said in a press release. Meehan also said that he will personally repay the $39,000 in taxpayer dollars he used to settle the case with the former staffer.
The congressman had already said that he would not run for reelection this year. According to state mandates, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf (D) must declare a special election for Meehan’s replacement within 10 days, and the election must be held no earlier 60 days from Meehan’s resignation.
In a special election, voters would elect someone to serve out the remainder of Meehan’s term in the current Seventh District lines, which the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional earlier this year. In November, voters will elect a representative for the newly drawn Fifth District, which is safely Democratic.
