Rep. David Wu, D-Ore., accused of forcing himself sexually on a young woman, should face an ethics inquiry, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Sunday.
"With deep disappointment and sadness about this situation, I hope that the Ethics Committee will take up this matter," Roll Call reported Pelosi said in a statement. "I will send a letter to the Ethics Committee [Monday] asking them to formally initiate a review of this matter."
The (Portland) Oregonian had reported Friday Wu had "an aggressive sexual encounter" with the daughter of a friend and campaign contributor when he visited her family in California last Thanksgiving.
In May, the woman accused the congressman in a phone message left with his district office in Portland. She and her family have declined to comment.
Wu, who is in Washington, has not spoken publicly since issuing a brief statement Friday night: "This is very serious, and I have absolutely no desire to bring unwanted publicity, attention, or stress to a young woman and her family."
Pelosi, D-Calif., and at least two other senior Democratic leaders in Washington spoke with Wu Saturday, and The Oregonian reports he was asked to quit.
No Oregon Democrats have come to his defense, and he already had two challengers in next year's primary.
Wu said only, "This is very serious, and I have absolutely no desire to bring unwanted publicity, attention or stress to a young woman and her family."
Roll Call noted in February Wu had sent his staffers photos of himself in a tiger costume, which he later acknowledged was "inappropriate." Wu had said he is getting mental health treatment and was taking medication, Roll Call said.
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