Wu, who was born in Taiwan, has disappeared from public view in the past day. Troubled Wu reaches out to Pelosi

Rep. David Wu spoke to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other top Democrats on Saturday about his political future in the wake of allegations of a sexual encounter with a teenager, but it is not clear whether the Oregon Democrat will step down from office.

Wu has been accused of having an “unwanted sexual encounter” with the teenage daughter of a longtime friendlast year over Thanksgiving weekend. The teenager, whose identity has not been disclosed, and her family have not filed any criminal complaint against the longtime lawmaker, but the incident, the second accusation of inappropriate sexual behavior against Wu, is “extremely troubling” to Pelosi and other Democrats, say Democratic insiders.


Pelosi has been in the Capitol all day as she and other congressional leaders are struggling to reach a deal to raise the U.S. government’s $14.3 trillion debt ceiling before a default deadline of Aug. 2. Pelosi said she was too busy to comment on the Wu scandal.

Democratic insiders would not comment on Pelosi’s conversation with Wu other than to confirm that the two had spoken and other senior House Democrats have contacted the lawmaker as well.

Wu, who was born in Taiwan, has disappeared from public view in the past day. He is believed to be holed up in his congressional office or residence on Capitol Hill. Wu has not commented on the allegations other than to release a short statement calling the matter “very serious.”

In 1976, Wu was accused of attempted rape by a former girlfriend. No charges were filed in that case, but Wu, who was then attending Stanford University, was required to see a counselor and was disciplined by the university.

Shortly before the 2010 elections, Wu began behaving erratically, including sending a picture of himself in a tiger costume to his staffers. More than a half dozen aides and campaign consultants quit as Wu bombarded them with troubling phone calls and emails. Wu’s remaining staffers canceled all campaign events, relying on TV ads to win his race.

After news reports of his behavior appeared in February and March, Wu began treatment for an unspecified mental health condition.

Wu, who is being treated for an unspecified mental health condition, is separated from his wife Michelle as the couple reportedly is seeking a divorce. They have two children.

The Oregonian reported late Friday night that the 56-year-old Wu “acknowledged a sexual encounter to his senior aides but insisted it was consensual,” according to sources aware of the incident.