Weiner says online contact with teen not indecent
Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., closes the front door of his building on reporters as he arrives at his house in the Queens borough of New York Thursday.
WILMINGTON, Del .>>U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, who has been under fire after admitting to sending graphic photos to women online, acknowledged Friday that he had online contact with a 17-year-old girl in Delaware but said the communications were "neither explicit nor indecent."
New Castle County police officers went to a high school junior’s home north of Wilmington Friday afternoon to speak with the girl about her contact with the New York Democrat, police have confirmed. The interview was first reported by FoxNews.com, which had a reporter at the home when police arrived.
Weiner spokeswoman Risa Heller said in a one-sentence statement Friday night, "According to Congressman Weiner, his communications with this person were neither explicit nor indecent."
A police spokeswoman confirmed that officers had interviewed an area teenager about online contacts with the congressman.
"They were made aware of an alleged contact between Congressman Anthony Weiner and an area teen," said Officer Tracey Duffy, a New Castle County police spokeswoman. "The teen has been interviewed and disclosed no information regarding any criminal activity."
Weiner, a seven-term Democrat, has acknowledged sending sexually explicit messages over the Internet to a half-dozen women over the past three years. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi has asked the House Ethics Committee to investigate whether Weiner inappropriately used any government resources.
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Weiner told a newspaper Thursday he would not resign, but instead would focus on getting work done and would "try to make amends" with his constituents and family. Now, there are indications in his home district that he may survive: A new NY1-Marist Poll showed the congressman continues to have strong backing from his constituents in the 9th congressional district.
According to the poll, 56 percent of registered voters polled in Weiner’s district think he should stay on the job. Thirty-three percent think he should go, while 12 percent are unsure.
The survey of 512 adults on June 8, which included 411 registered voters, had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percent. It was performed by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.
