Oregon Democrat Accused of ‘Unwanted Sexual Encounter’ Will Not Step Down

Representative David Wu (D-Ore.), who stands accused of engaging in an “unwanted sexual encounter” with the teenage daughter of one of his donors, says he will not step down but also will not seek re-election. However, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has called for the Ethics Committee to investigate.

“I call on the Ethics Committee to initiate an investigation into the allegations against Congressman Wu,” Pelosi said in a statement. “With deep disappointment and sadness about this situation, I hope that the Ethics Committee will take up this matter.”

“Democratic insiders said Pelosi and her top lieutenants have made it clear to Wu ‘that he has no support’ from his colleagues or party leaders and that they would like to see him leave the House as soon as possible,” POLITICO reported.

“The Ethics Committee — which can subpoena Wu, his staffers and any materials in his possession, including a voice-mail message reportedly left by the teenager — cannot charge him with a crime, but the panel can make a criminal referral to the Justice Department if it turns up evidence of illegal behavior.”

“A distraught young woman called U.S. Rep. David Wu’s Portland office this spring, accusing him of an unwanted sexual encounter, according to multiple sources,” The Oregonian reported on July 22. “When confronted, the Oregon Democrat acknowledged a sexual encounter to his senior aides but insisted it was consensual, the sources said.”