Statement by Pa. Rep. Nick Miccarelli on abuse, misconduct claims

Below is a statement that Rep. Nick Miccarelli (R., Delaware) on Wednesday afternoon posted to Facebook and sent to reporters in response to sexual and physical abuse allegations by two women.

Recently I received a phone call from a reporter asking me to comment on allegations that I had engaged in inappropriate conduct in regards to the #metoo movement.
In this case the #metoo movement has gone TOO far.

The facts are these:

1) I have had consensual relationships with these women before being married last week.

2) At no time was I violent or threatening to any woman I dated nor have I drugged any person.

3) After being called by a reporter, I called the House Legal Counsel and asked that a thorough, speedy, and open investigation into any allegations be completed.

4) To this point I have yet to receive the alleged complaints against me.

5) I was married a little more than a week ago, and the timing of these false allegations raise questions.

I would ask my constituents to ask themselves this: If your child was accused of something like this, would you rush to judgment, or would you wait to hear the facts?

I am absolutely appalled by these allegations and I deny them entirely.

I will fight these lies against me and my family as hard as I have fought for my constituents in Harrisburg and my country in Iraq.

Holding public officials accountable is the job of the press and public, but to be tried and convicted in the court of public opinion with no due process is simply not fair. I will leave the decision to whether these allegations have any merit to the people of my district.

I've asked the journalists who contacted me to use their discretion when they informed me about these allegations. I appealed to them to do what was right and to consider the timing of this story. I told them truthfully that I was engaged in a consensual relationship with [one accuser] that ended in 2015, and that we had exchanged many texts and spoken after the relationship ended.

Never was I confronted with these ugly allegations until hearing from the reporters.

Unfortunately, I cannot disprove something that never happened, but I can tell you that these allegations, if true, would have been reported to the cops, the DA, or another law enforcement agency. No charges were ever filed because these are complete fabrications.

Frankly, I am shocked and dismayed by the lack of journalistic integrity displayed here. These allegations and article appear only meant to harm my reputation and attack my new marriage. I intend to intensely fight these claims with every option available to me.

I am asking that you please judge me by the reputation I have earned as your legislator, your neighbor, a veteran, a son, a friend, and a husband. I know that the residents of my district can tell the difference between truth and fiction, and I am asking that you please exercise your best judgment in deciding the truth of this matter.

As always, I appreciate your continued support and intend to continue serving you with integrity.

Thank you.