The first sexual misconduct accusation involving a minor was among two recent complaints that delayed the ethics investigation of Sen. Bob Packwood, according to congressional sources.
The woman, now in her late 20s, said in the complaint that she was 17 when the Oregon Republican grabbed and kissed her in 1983. She had worked as a Senate intern for Packwood the previous two summers.The former intern, whose name has not been made public, first told her story in a Washington Post article in February 1993.
She said that during her senior year in high school, she asked Packwood for a letter of recommendation to use for college applications and that he insisted on delivering it himself.
She told the Post he arranged to come to her house when no one else was home and tried to hug her. When she freed herself and showed him to the door, he "laid a juicy kiss on my lips. I could feel the tongue coming," she told the paper.
It was not clear why the woman's charges are just now being formally placed before the panel when her assertions were first reported more than two years ago.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said Tuesday she may try to use the new formal charges to press anew for public hearings in the Packwood case.
Last week, the Senate voted 52-48 against forcing the committee to hold public hearings.
The committee has found "substantial credible evidence" that Packwood made unwanted sexual advances toward 17 women in 18 instances between 1969 and 1990; sought jobs for his wife - as the couple was divorcing - from lobbyists and businessmen with interests in legislation; and altered his diaries when he learned they may be subpoenaed.
The committee will decide in September whether it will add the allegations by the two additional women to the formal charges filed in May. Possible punishments include a censure, loss of Packwood's Finance Committee chairmanship and expulsion.
Meanwhile Packwood, strongly denied a report last Sunday by ABC-TV that he would resign.
"To coin a phrase, rumors of my resignation have been greatly exaggerated," Packwood said in a written statement.