"Salty" Eric Massa Denies Harassing Male Staffer

Rep. Eric Massa, a freshman congressman from New York, denied reports yesterday that he had sexually harassed one of his male staffers. But he also announced that he would not seek re-election in November because of "health concerns."  The 50 year-old married father of three called these reports, first published by Politico on Wednesday, "unsubstantiated without facts or backing," while acknowledging the use of "salty language" behind closed doors.  


A graduate of the US Naval Academy who retired from the Navy in 2001 after 24 years of service, Massa also described himself in his statement as a "salty old sailor."