Then-Rep. Eric Massa used a campaign account to pay $40,000 to his chief of staff – a central figure in the story of allegations that Massa sexually harassed his aides — just before resigning his western New York House seat early last month, according to federal campaign finance records.
The lump-sum payment to Joe Racalto was made March 4, the day before Massa, a New York Democrat, formally submitted his resignation to the House. It was marked as a “campaign management fee” and is the only significant payment Massa’s campaign has made to Racalto since the lawmaker was sworn in to office in January 2009.
Racalto is a central player in the still-unfolding saga of whether Massa sexually harassed several junior aides and how congressional staff, including, Racalto, handled those allegations.
Full story: Mystery money: Aide got $40k from Massa – Jonathan Allen – POLITICO.com