House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi called Monday for an Ethics Committee investigation of New York Congressman Anthony Weiner (D) after he admitted that he tweeted a lewd photo to a college student and then falsely claimed his Twitter account had been hacked.
"I am deeply disappointed and saddened about this situation; for Anthony's wife, Huma, his family, his staff and his constituents," Pelosi said in a statement. "I am calling for an Ethics Committee investigation to determine whether any official resources were used or any other violation of House rules occurred."
"I have not been honest with myself, my family, my constituents, my friends, my supporters, and the media,'' Rep Weiner said apologetically at a press conference Monday. "I'm deeply regretting what I have done and I'm not resigning."
In an incident that has come to be known as "Weinergate," the Twitter account of the New York congressman sent a racy photo to a female college student from Seattle. Weiner claimed that his Facebook account was hacked and that, while the photo did appear on his Twitter feed, he did not send it. The photo showed a man's erect penis outlined in a pair of tight boxer briefs and was first published by Andrew Breitbart's BigGovernment website.
"The picture was of me and I sent it," he admitted Monday.
Weiner also admitted to having inappropriate communications with about six other women over three years, but said that his flirtations were strictly over the Internet and telephone. He said none of his communications with the women developed into a physical relationship.
"This was a destructive thing to do," he said.
The congressman originally lied about the incident because he was embarrassed by the situation and apologized for his deception, saying he was "deeply ashamed."
Weiner added that he and his wife, who have been married just shy of one year, had no intention of breaking up.
Before Weiner arrived at the podium to speak, Breitbart briefly took over the press conference to answer questions about his role in publishing the lewd photo. His BigGovernment website published additional lewd photos of Weiner on Monday, which were reportedly from another woman he had "inappropriate communications" with.
“I’ve seen a lot of Congressman Weiner’s body," Breitbart said. "He’s in very good shape.”
Updated June 6, 2011 at 6:07pm EST
