Democrat Eric Massa to quit amid sexual harassment claims

By Philip Sherwell in New York Published: 10:56PM GMT 05 March 2010

Eric Massa has give up among sex harrassment claims Photo: GETTY

The woes of the tied together former US army military officer are the ultimate liaison to overflow Democratic politicians as the celebration enters a difficult choosing year with recognition sliding.

Mr Massa pronounced progressing this week that he would not find a second tenure in Nov following a new cancer scare. But he will right away step down on Monday as rumours whirl around him.

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In a matter expelled on Friday, he concurred that had used denunciation that competence have equates to discomfort, but did not residence the nuisance allegations.

He took target at the "toxic atmosphere" in US governing body and pronounced he believed an ethics review "would rip my family and my staff apart".

Mr Massas proclamation comes at the finish of a week when reliable difficulties mounted for alternative distinguished Democratic politicians.

Congressman Charles Rangel stood down as head of the absolute tax-writing ways and equates to cabinet after the ethics cabinet criticised him for violating House manners by receiving Caribbean trips sponsored by corporations.

And David Paterson, the New York governor, was sticking to energy among reports that he intervened in a made at home assault box involving an help and sought free tickets to a Yankees ball game.

For the Democrats, who regained energy in Capitol Hill in 2006 on the behind of criticisms of Republican ethics and were already confronting an ascending conflict in Novembers mid-term elections, the unreasonable of scandals is deeply damaging.

In his statement, Mr Massa, a first-term congressman from upstate New York, said: "I own this reality.

"There is no disbelief in my mind that I did in fact, have use of denunciation in the remoteness of my own home and in my middle bureau that, after twenty-four years in the Navy, competence have a Chief Petty Officer feel uncomfortable.

"In fact, there is no disbelief that this Ethics issue is my error and cave alone.

"But in the incredibly poisonous ambience that is Washington D.C., with the drop of the inaugurated leaders carrying turn a red blood sport, generally in speak air wave and on the internet, there is additionally no disbelief that an Ethics review would rip my family and my staff apart."