Oregon Congressman Resigns Amid Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

Facing a House ethics investigation into allegations that he had a non-consensual sexual encounter with a teenage girl, U.S. Rep. David Wu, an Oregon Democrat, announced his resignation Tuesday and said he would leave office once the debt ceiling impasse had ended.

Wu, a Congress member since 1999, was the first Chinese-American to serve in the House.

Allegations surfaced Friday that Wu had had a sexual encounter with an 18-year-old girl said to be the daughter of a childhood friend. Wu did not deny the encounter but said it was consensual and that he hadn’t done anything “illegal.” —BF

The Oregonian:

Rep. David Wu announced his resignation from Congress today, moments after U.S. senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden called for his resignation.

The Democrat said in a statement that he would leave office after Congress resolves the debt ceiling crisis.

“With great sadness, I therefore intend to resign effective upon the resolution of the debt ceiling crisis. This is the right decision for my family, the institution of the House, and my colleagues.”

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www.house.gov / David Wu