Former congressman charged with indecent exposure on beach
February 14 , 2007
Adapted from the Associated Press
A former Pennsylvania congressman was accused of exposing himself to two women at a beach resort, court records show.
The 75-year-old must appear in court to face a charge of exposure of sexual organs, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, according to a summons issued.
Both the State Attorney's Office and the Florida town’s police department declined to discuss details of the case, citing an ongoing investigation.
According to the summons, the man "did unlawfully expose or exhibit his sexual organs in a public place ... in a vulgar or indecent manner, or did go naked in public."
The police chief said two women identified the man as "someone who perpetrated lewd behavior. Based on their statements, it was intentional lewd behavior." The chief said the incident happened between the beach and a local resort, which he declined to name.
Phone messages left by the Associated Press at the man’s home and at the Washington, D.C., lobbying firm where he works were not immediately returned.
He was the longest-serving Republican in the House when he was indicted in 1992 on charges he accepted gifts from defense companies in exchange for helping them win lucrative contracts.
He was cleared by a federal jury in 1996, but not before losing the opportunity to become chairman of the House Appropriations Committee when Republicans won the congressional majority in 1994. |
