Packwood Ethics Panel Receives More Allegations Of Misconduct
The Senate Ethics Committee said Thursday that it has received new allegations of sexual misconduct against Sen. Bob Packwood and was postponing the penalty phase of its deliberations.
“Two additional complainants have contacted the committee recently with allegations of sexual misconduct by Sen. Packwood,” the committee announcement said. “The committee will use the (August) recess period to pursue these new allegations, so that the record is complete.”
The announcement was made just an hour after the committee began meeting in closed session. Chairman Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., had indicated the session was called to deliberate on possible penalties in the case of sexual and official misconduct by the Oregon Republican.
The committee said it now expects to conclude the case and release “the full public record” in early September.
Packwood had no immediate comment Thursday. But his press secretary, Bobbi Munson, said at least one of the new alleged incidents occurred in 1971. She declined to elaborate.