Embattled Oregon congressman David Wu, who has seen his share of controversy lately, is now accused of having had an "unwanted sexual encounter" with the teenage daughter of a close friend: Sources: Young woman accuses Oregon Rep. David Wu of aggressive, unwanted sexual encounter.In the face of considerable lobbying and calls for an ethics investigation from his own party, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Wu has announced that he will not seek reelection in 2012. However, he insists that he will not step down from office: Defiant Wu will not resign.
Sources familiar with the voice mail said it was clear that the woman was the daughter of a high school friend of Wu's in Orange County. The Oregonian does not use the names of victims of sexual assault without their permission. In this case, the newspaper is withholding some details about the family that might identify them given the allegations.Add this to the long list of alleged bad behavior that has plagued Rep. Wu's reputation, from erratic emails during last year's re-election campaign to accusations of attempted rape dating back to 1976. And yet somehow, he's doggedly still in office. At what point does all the controversy get in the way of doing your actual job as a U.S. Congressman? More here: Democratic leaders call for ethics investigation of David Wu.
The young woman and her mother and father declined to speak to a reporter outside their home Friday. The family said through an attorney that "they are not interested in talking to" the press. The attorney, David Swanson, is an Orange County lawyer who specializes in criminal law, according to his website.
Sources who talked to The Oregonian agreed to speak only on condition they not be named. They offered information about the alleged incident independently, and each said they had direct knowledge of its details.
Two people with knowledge of the recording and the later conversation with Wu said the alleged incident took place over Thanksgiving weekend. Sources said they were told that the woman went outside and Wu left after her. The sexual encounter followed, they said.
Two sources said the woman believed there was not enough evidence to press charges. There were no witnesses, and it would be her word against a seven-term member of the U.S. Congress.