Staffers of former U.S. representative Eric Massa were filing
complaints about the congressman's behavior just three months after he
took office, according to internal reports acquired by The Washington Post.
While senior staff members attempted to quell the problems between the New York Democrat and his young male staffers -- who accused him of was making lewd comments -- the problems persisted.
More than two dozen interviews and several internal documents show that complaints about inappropriate conduct began in March 2009 and continued over several months. There are allegations that Massa, who is married with children, touched his staffers in a sexual manner, came up with reasons to invite staffers individually on overnight trips, and expressed his desire to have sex with the men in the office.
Massa's chief of staff, Joe Racalto, said that he was constantly attempting to prevent his boss from engaging in inappropriate behavior. In March 2009, Racalto said, he was alerted that Massa attempted to fondle a staff member in a hotel room during the 2008 campaign. He had also told other staff members that he was a target of Massa's.
Massa announced in March that he would not seek reelection, citing health problems. It was subsequently confirmed, however, that the House Ethics Committee would be reviewing the case against Massa. Shortly after his initial announcement, he said he would resign immediately.
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