U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, a Republican from western New York who was implicated recently of rubbing a female lobbyist’s back and also unhooking her bra without her consent in 2017, said sorry to the woman on Sunday and also introduced that he will not compete reelection following year.
Reed, 49, said in a declaration that the case entailing then-lobbyist Nicolette Davis happened “at a time in my life in which I was having a hard time.” He stated he entered therapy that year as well as realized he was “helpless over alcohol.”
Reed said sorry to his better half as well as youngsters, and to Davis, and claimed he intended “to dedicate my time and focus to apologizing for my past activities.”
Reed, that was very first chosen to Congress in 2010, had been among the participants of Congress calling for the resignation of Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo over sexual harassment allegations. In late February, Reed stated he was seriously thinking about running for guv versus Cuomo must the Democrat look for a 4th term next year.
Reed stated in his declaration Sunday that he would certainly not seek any kind of elective workplace in 2022.
The news came two days after The Washington Post reported the allegations from Davis, that was 25 and a powerbroker for insurance firm Aflac when she said Reed, seated next to her at a Minneapolis bar, disconnected her bra from outdoors her shirt and moved his hand to her upper leg.
” An intoxicated congressman is massaging my back,” she texted a co-worker at Aflac that night, including later, “HELP HELP.”
Reed released a statement Friday saying, “This account of my actions is not exact.”
In his statement Sunday he claimed,” In reflection, my individual representation of this occasion is pointless. Put simply, my habits triggered her discomfort, showed her disrespect and also was less than professional. I was incorrect, I am sorry, and also I take complete duty.”
A previous mayor of Corning, New York, Reed is co-chair of the House of Representatives’ bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.
He voted against impeaching previous President Donald Trump in January yet enacted favor of licensing the 2020 election of Democrat Joe Biden.