Pat Meehan Resigns, Will Pay Back $39K

U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan has resigned his seat as Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District representative after a landmark redistricting case and allegations of sexual misconduct with taxpayer funds used to settle that claim.

The 62-year-old Republican announced his resignation Friday, April 27 in a statement. Meehan said he would repay with his own money the $39,000 used to settle the misconduct complaint within 30 days his resignation.

"With the knowledge I would not be standing for another term, I have decided that stepping down now is in the interest of the constituents I have been honored to serve," Meehan said in his statement. "I have stayed to fight for important priorities like fully funding our troops, increasing support for medical research and preserving promising clean energy solutions. And now that work is accomplished."

Meehan turned in his resignation letter to Gov. Tom Wolf and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan Friday.

In January, he announced he would not seek reelection after news broke about the accusations he used taxpayer money to settle a sexual misconduct complaint from a former aide.

"It is clear to me, that under the current conditions, any campaign I would run would not be decided over vital issues but would likely devolve into an ugly spectacle of harsh rhetoric," he wrote in a letter saying he would not run again. "I do not believe that is in the best interest of the constituents I represent.

"That payment will be made I did not want to leave with any question of violating the trust of taxpayers," he said in his resignation announcement.

Meehan said the former female aide from which the allegations stem was his "soul mate" and denied any wrongdoing.

Wolf called for Meehan to resign following the news of alleged misconduct and said the House should investigate "how this matter was handled from top to bottom."

He was removed from the House Ethic Committee by Ryan following the allegations coming to light.

Philly.com reports with Meehan's departure, Wolf now has to set a date for a special election to fill the vacant seat, which could happen within 60 days.

The 7th District was often used as an example as the most extreme case of gerrymandering in the nation, covering parts of Delaware, Montgomery, Chester, Berks, and Lancaster counties.

However, on Jan. 22 this year the the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled the current congressional district map in Pennsylvania unconstitutional forcing a redrawing of districts.

Redistricting could be a boon for Democrats and bring about the predicted "blue wave" spurred by anger at the Trump Administration.

Wolf and other PA lawmakers were unable to come to an agreement on a revised congressional map, leaving its fate in the hands of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

The court then released its new map, which was met with GOP pushback.

Image via United State House of Representatives