Meehan admits affection, denies harassment

WASHINGTON—Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., opened up on Tuesday about the misconduct claim made against him—admitting to affection for a former aide but not sexual harassment. In an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer, Meehan said he had a deep “affection” for the young woman, and even referred to her as his “soul mate,” but claimed he never pursued a sexual relationship with her. The New York Times first reported on Saturday that Meehan used taxpayer funds to silence a workplace harassment complaint from a female staff member who said the lawmaker made unwanted romantic overtures. Meehan admitted the payout to the Inquirer but did not disclose the amount and called it a “severance” package, not a settlement. Meehan, 62, has a wife and three children. He said he never touched the former aide but that it was difficult for his affection for her not to affect their professional relationship. When the staff member told Meehan she had a serious boyfriend, Meehan said he acted “selfishly” and handwrote her a two-page letter explaining his feelings for her. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, has asked for Meehan to resign after the first report on Saturday. GOP leaders already removed Meehan from his position on the House Ethics Committee and submitted the lawmaker for his own ethics review. Meehan still plans to run for reelection this year, according to the Inquirer.