The payout, which had not been previously disclosed, came from the Delaware County Republican's congressional office account, which is typically used for staff, office expenses, and other official costs. Using it allowed him to pay the settlement without the approval of fellow lawmakers who oversee the House's designated fund for workplace harassment and discrimination claims. Instead, Meehan said in an interview Jan. 23, he got the go-ahead to use his office fund from the House Ethics Committee. He was a member of the committee at the time of the approval.