Fox News summarized: "Police [in Delaware] are investigating direct online communications between New York Rep. Anthony Weiner and a 17-year old girl and are looking for any other young women who may be involved, though the nature of the communications wasn’t immediately clear." According to one source, the relationship never became improper. “She was not targeted in any way and did not receive inappropriate messages or photos or anything from the congressman. If she had, her family would have filed charges.” Likewise, Weiner stated through a spokeswoman that his contacts with the girl were “neither explicit nor indecent.”
Upon discovering the relationship between the congressman and the high school student, the scene was mildly dramatic. Fox News explains:
Two officers from the New Castle County Police Department arrived at the high school junior's home around 4:30 p.m. Friday when FoxNews.com was inside speaking with a family member. The Delaware cops asked FoxNews.com to step outside so they could speak with the 17-year-old's mother in private. While FoxNews.com was walking down the driveway, the daughter was walking up.
The police interaction with the young girl and her family lasted approximately 30 minutes. Delaware police are reporting that the teen has made no disclosure of criminal activity nor inappropriate contact by the Congressman.”
Sources close to the 17-year-old indicate that she began following Congressman Weiner on Twitter after he spoke during a school trip to Washington on April 1. Weiner signed on to follow the girl’s Twitter feed, and eventually messaged her directly on April 13.
What remains unclear is whether there were other contacts between the Congressman and the school girl, but Weiner no longer follows her on Twitter.
Weiner is already contending with evidence that he engaged in illicit online relationships with at least six women, though he is a married man. Drama over the affairs was exacerbated when his wife, Huma Abedin, announced that she was pregnant with the couple’s first child.
Fellow Democrats are calling for Weiner’s resignation, insisting it would be the best thing for the Weiner family, Weiner’s constituents, and the United States House of Representatives. The Congressman stubbornly resisted those calls, but in light of the most recent revelation regarding the 17-year old student, Weiner announced on Saturday that he would be taking a short leave of absence and seeking professional treatment.
The Inquirer writes:
It was unknown how much time the New York Democrat would take off, but it was clear that a temporary break would not be enough to satisfy party members who hoped a coordinated show of disapproval from top Democrats would force him to step down.
Weiner’s office released a statement on Saturday, indicating that the Congressman would be pursuing “professional treatment to focus on becoming a better husband and healthier person.” He requested a “short leave of absence” from the United States House “so that he can get evaluated and map out a course of treatment to make himself well.”
The statement adds, “Congressman Weiner takes the views of his colleagues very seriously. And he has determined that he needs this time to get healthy and make the best decision possible for himself, his family, and his constituents.”
Democratic Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida said, “The behavior he has exhibited is indefensible, and Rep. Weiner’s continued service in Congress is untenable.”
In addition to a number of House and Senate Democrats, Wasserman was joined by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who has called for an ethics investigation into the matter.
Likewise, Steve Israel of New York, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, issued a stern statement calling for Weiner’s investigation.
“Anthony’s inappropriate behavior has become an insurmountable distraction to the House and our work for the American people,” Israel asserted.
Despite the numerous calls for Weiner’s resignation, and the number of scandals mounting on Weiner’s plate, a majority of New York City residents would like Weiner to remain in office.
Robert Liff, a New York Democratic political operative explains the rationale: “It’s New York City. This isn’t Bible Belt tolerance; that’s not a New York thing. We’re a live-and-let-live city.”
Photo: Rep. Anthony Weiner
