Congressman Dale Kildee (MI-05)
Longtime congressman Dale Kildee is responding to allegations of inappropriate contact with a family member.
The 17-term congressman from Flint says allegations about sexually molesting a second cousin more than 50-years ago are "false and unfounded."
Kildee says it's "concerted effort by distant relatives, two of whom have a long history of mental illness and multiple run-ins with the law, along with political adversaries to destroy my reputation by lying about something that never took place more than 50 years ago."
Here is the complete statement sent out by Dale Kildee's office Sunday:
Washington, D.C.–Congressman Dale E. Kildee released the following statement today in response to false allegations that he had inappropriate contact with a second cousin more than 50 years ago.
“The allegations against me are completely false and shameful. I regret having to air all of this in public, but I feel like I have no choice.
This is a concerted effort by distant relatives, two of whom have a long history of mental illness and multiple run-ins with the law, along with political adversaries to destroy my reputation by lying about something that never took place more than 50 years ago.
Republicans tried to peddle these scurrilous allegations during my last congressional race and authorities and reputable news outlets rejected these false allegations. Now they are back at it again to try to win an open congressional seat. These allegations resurfaced recently when the accuser’s son asked me for money and federal benefits, which I refused to do and which I formally reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The following audio tape were recently posted online by the family in which they discuss in their own words how they attempted to blackmail me. They further state that they have no evidence to support their claims while discussing at length the long history of mental illness. Twenty years ago, the accuser’s wife called me demanding federal benefits. On the audio, the family admits to the blackmail and says the accuser’s wife said, “you're going to get me his Social Security disability, or I'm going to go public with that."
In addition, this letter is the last communication I had with my second cousin 23 years ago. The letter clearly shows he held no animosity towards me and can only be categorized as bizarre.”
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Peter Karafotas
Deputy Chief of Staff/Legislative Director
U.S. Representative Dale E. Kildee (MI-05)
2107 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-3611 Phone
(202) 225-6393
