US Rep Tom Reed, a Republican from western New York who was accused last week of rubbing a female lobbyist's back and unhooking her br...
US Rep Tom Reed, a Republican from western New York who was accused last week of rubbing a female lobbyist's back and unhooking her bra without her consent in 2017, apologized to the woman on Sunday and announced that he will not run for reelection next year.
Reed, 49, said in a statement that the incident involving then-lobbyist Nicolette Davis occurred 'at a time in my life in which I was struggling'.
He said he entered treatment that year and realized he was 'powerless over alcohol'.
Reed apologized to his wife and children, and to Davis, and said he planned 'to dedicate my time and attention to making amends for my past actions'.
Reed, who was first elected to Congress in 2010, had been among the members of Congress calling for the resignation of Democratic Gov Andrew Cuomo over sexual harassment allegations.
In late February, Reed said he was seriously considering running for governor against Cuomo should the Democrat seek a fourth term next year.
US Rep Tom Reed, a Republican from western New York who was accused last week of rubbing a female lobbyist's back and unhooking her bra without her consent in 2017, apologized to the woman on Sunday and announced that he will not run for reelection next year
Reed, 49, said in a statement that the incident involving then-lobbyist Nicolette Davis (pictured) occurred 'at a time in my life in which I was struggling'
Reed said in his statement Sunday that he would not seek any elected office in 2022.
Commenting on the allegations against Cuomo last month, Reed had said: 'These incidents of sexual harassment and pattern of abuse are abhorrent and have absolutely no place in our society, let alone the highest rungs of government.'
The announcement came two days after The Washington Post reported the allegations from Davis, who was 25 and a lobbyist for insurer Aflac when she said Reed, seated next to her at a Minneapolis bar, unhooked her bra from outside her blouse and moved his hand to her thigh.
At the time, Davis texted a friend and co-worker that 'a drunk congressman is rubbing my back'.
'HELP HELP,' she texted, before the person seated on her other side responded to her request by pulling Reed out of the restaurant, according to her account, published Friday.
Reed, elected to Congress in 2010, declined to be interviewed by The Associated Press. In a statement released by his office on Friday, he said, 'This account of my actions is not accurate.'
'In reflection, my personal depiction of this event is irrelevant. Simply put, my behavior caused her pain, showed her disrespect and was unprofessional. I was wrong, I am sorry, and I take full responsibility,' the statement reads.
Davis, now a 29-year-old second lieutenant in the US Army at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, contacted The Post through a tip line February 11, the newspaper said.
Davis said she is speaking out as she thinks about the kind of platoon leader she wants to be after graduating from field artillery school later this month.
'I need to always act in good conscience and set the right example for the soldiers I will lead, including younger females,' she said. 'I hope it will allow people who have endured similar experiences to feel confident enough to say something.'
Reed has been among the members of Congress calling for the resignation of Democratic Gov Andrew Cuomo over sexual harassment allegations
Her story was corroborated by the friend whom Davis texted from the restaurant, Jessica Strieter Elting, who runs Aflac's political affairs team in Washington, DC.
Strieter Elting told The Post that Davis was shaken by the encounter.
'I felt horrible for her, being in that position while trying to do her job,' said Strieter Elting.
Davis also reported the incident, at the time, to her supervisor at the company, then-vice president and counsel Brad Knox.
Knox said he recalled Davis telling him that Reed had been drinking and had undone an article of her clothing.
He said she declined when he asked if she wanted to file a complaint with the House Ethics Committee.
Reed is a former mayor of Corning, New York. In Congress, he co-chairs the Problem Solvers Caucus, whose 24 Republican and 24 Democratic members meet weekly on issues.
In response to the #MeToo movement, Reed said sexual harassment training was a basic requirement in his office, and that he had taken it.
He also backed bipartisan legislation in 2018 requiring lawmakers to be personally liable for settlements resulting from harassment.
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