With the Weinstein Effect in full motion, we have seen women and men come forward about allegedly disturbing behavior and/or actions by people in power, and the political scene is no exception. Roy Moore was the most infamous person to come out of this, but there are many more in state and local areas.
Republican Representative Nick Miccarelli of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the latest reported case, and unlike Moore who was accused of teen molestation decades ago, Miccarelli’s alleged actions stretch back to a recent time span of 2012-2014.
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Two women, who remain publicly anonymous, have come forward claiming that he abused them in separate incidents. The first, who worked as a state official, said that Miccarelli repeatedly physically abused and threatened her, going so far as to pull a gun on her at one point in addition to making murder-suicide death threats – while driving over 100 mph. The alleged physical abuse entailed kicking and hitting.
The second, who worked as a political consultant, has accused him of sexual abuse, including drugging and raping her. Both have also made the startling claim that he apparently carries a firearm with him when he walks into the Pennsylvania capitol, which, if true, would call into question security problems.
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The reason they did not come forward was because they had a legitimate fear for their lives and, like a lot of women under powerful men such as Weinstein, they thought doing so would ruin their careers. Considering it is common knowledge that politics is an already restricted field for women, this is believable.
Miccarelli has, of course, refuted the claims in both interviews and social media posts. On Facebook, for example, he made a long statement asserting that the women were liars and everything they said was a fabrication:
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.
The congressman should be given a fair investigation, but he does not do himself any favors when he makes blatant political hackery talking points like tying his military service to his political service, victim blaming assertions like how these women would have gone to law enforcement if they were actually truthful, and of course an attack on the free press.
I hope the truth comes out in time for election season.
Image a screen capture from Nick Miccarelli’s Facebook Page
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