In a shocking event, the U.S. Capitol Police are currently investigating reports of two men allegedly engaging in sexual activity on Capitol grounds.
The controversial incident, captured in an explicit video and released by The Daily Caller, has since gone viral; and reportedly occurred in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill.
This scandal has gained widespread attention and ignited a fierce debate online.
Although the authenticity of the video has not been confirmed, it appears to have been filmed inside a Senate hearing room.
As the investigation unfolds, let’s delve deeper into this scandal and the key players involved.
The Alleged Incident
The video in question depicts two unidentified men engaging in a sexual act within a room that is believed to be the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing room.
One of the men is seen nude, hunched over the dais typically used by senators during official hearings and witness interrogations.
The clip, filmed from the perspective of the other participant, briefly pans across the Senate seal on the wall.
Capitol Police Investigation
Upon learning of the explicit video, the Capitol Police initiated an investigation into the incident.
A spokesperson for the Capitol Police acknowledged their awareness of the matter and stated that they are actively looking into it. While the police delve into the details, reports have surfaced linking a staffer, Aidan Maese-Czeropski, for Maryland Democratic Senator Ben Cardin to the video.
However, Cardin’s office has refrained from making any comments, citing the ongoing review of the personnel matter.
Accusations and Responses
Congressman Max Miller’s Accusation
Jewish Congressman Max Miller has accused Aidan Maese-Czeropski, a legislative aide for Senator Cardin, of confronting him in the Cannon Office Building and shouting, “Free Palestine”. Miller described the encounter as unexpected and claimed that the staffer approached him visibly shaken.
However, Maese-Czeropski denies having any opportunity or cause to confront Miller and has expressed his intention to explore legal options.
Senator Cardin’s Office Response
In response to the accusations, Senator Cardin’s office issued a statement acknowledging media reports but refrained from further commenting due to the ongoing personnel review.
As the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Cardin’s office emphasized the need to address the matter through the appropriate channels.
Reactions and Criticisms
Criticism from Congressman Derrick Van Orden
Congressman Derrick Van Orden expressed his disappointment with the lack of a bipartisan condemnation from the Senate regarding the alleged incident.
He sarcastically highlighted the absence of any official response and likened it to the iconic movie scene from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”.
Congressman Mike Collins’ Post
Another congressman, Mike Collins, took to social media to criticize Senator Cardin’s office, accusing its staff of engaging in explicit activities and shouting “Free Palestine” at Congressman Miller.
Collins questioned the Senate’s silence and posed a thought-provoking query about the consequences if a filmmaker were to engage in such behavior in a free Palestine.
Aidan Maese-Czeropski’s Background
Aidan Maese-Czeropski, the legislative aide at the center of these controversies, has a diverse background in politics and public service.
Prior to his role with Senator Cardin, he served as a foreign policy legislative correspondent for Cardin and worked on immigration issues for Senator Dianne Feinstein. Maese-Czeropski also gained experience as a field organizer for the Democratic Party of Virginia and was involved in various community engagement initiatives.
The Investigation Unfolds
As the investigation into the alleged incident continues, the Capitol Police are working to authenticate the video and identify the individuals involved. The controversy has sparked a flurry of online debates, with some defending Maese-Czeropski and questioning the authenticity of the video, while others express shock and disappointment.
George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley broke down possible charges Saturday that could be filed against a congressional staffer and an unknown man having anal sex in a Senate hearing room.
Leaked amateur pornography showed a congressional staffer having anal sex with an unknown man, purportedly in Senate room Hart 216, video obtained by the Daily Caller shows, and the Capitol Police are now investigating the incident.
Turley highlighted the possible charges that could be brought against the individuals, which include being charged for “lewd, indecent, or obscene acts,” for misuse of public property, and/or possibly for trespassing, according to his legal blog.
“Obviously, the videotape will result in the termination of any staffers involved. However, the question is any possible criminal charge. We have previously discussed porn videos shot in churches or other locations. Such porn shoots in church have also raised calls for prosecutions in other countries. Staffers have access into such rooms, but the question is whether this unofficial use would constitute trespass. It also uses an official area for personal purposes, though it is not clear if there were any commercial benefits garnered from the video found on various sites,” Turley wrote.
“One obvious criminal provision is Section 22-1312 for lewd, indecent, or obscene acts,” Turley wrote.
The identities of the individuals in the amateur gay porn video have not yet been identified. The Daily Caller confirmed it was shared in a group chat for gay men in politics. “The question is whether this is ‘in public’ in a locked committee room — any more than sex in a congressional office after hours would be viewed as ‘in public,’” Turley continued.
Turley also said charges could be brought against the individuals for misuse of government property and said the Capitol Police could say this constitutes “purloining or using government property for personal purposes.”
“That brings us back to trespass. The question may be whether this was access under legal authority for a staffer. The Capitol police can argue that access to a staff position does not mean a license for entry for any purpose. Under 18 U.S.C. 1752, trespass covers anyone who ‘knowingly enters or remains in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority to do so.’”
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