A former Senate staffer who was allegedly caught taping her sex act in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing room may also be exposing herself to legal jeopardy, an expert said.
Attorney and professor at George Washington University Law Jonathan Turley, in a blog post, weighed in on the possible charges the 24-year-old former legislative aide to retiring Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) could face over the X-rated conduct.
“Staff have access to such rooms, but the question is whether this unofficial use would amount to trespassing. It also uses official areas for personal purposes, although it is not clear whether there is any commercial benefit derived from the videos found on various websites,” Turley wrote on his website.
Footage of the trial — which took place on the table where Senators asked questions in the hearing room — was published by the Daily Caller Friday.
Capitol Police have since confirmed that they are aware of the situation.
The former aide was said to be seen doing something between Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Chris Coons sit during a recent markup.
“Aidan Maese-Czeropski no longer works in the US Senate. We will not have any further comment on this personnel matter,” a Cardin spokesperson told The Post Saturday, referring to the accused staff.
Cardin, 80, was named a temporary replacement for the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-Calif.) slot on the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this year, which may have been how her staff gained access to room 216 of the Hart Senate Office Building.
But “the question may be whether this is access under legal authority for staff,” wrote Turley, the Fox News contributor.
A still shows the 24-year-old in a campaign video with President Biden. x @JoeBiden
Also critical to possible charges is whether explicit actions in a locked Senate chamber are considered “in public,” according to Turley.
The staffer was initially not identified in an article published by the Daily Caller, which claimed the eight-second blurry footage of amateur pornography came from a “private group for gay men in politics.”
“This site does not appear to be generating revenue, which may have something to do with the potential charges discussed above. Using congressional space for commercial purposes may incur possible charges,” Turley wrote.
Search interest in Ben Cardin reached a career high for the retiring senator following the controversy. ZUMAPRESS.com
The legal scholar also weighed in on whether charges could be brought under 18 USC 641, which involves misappropriation of public property.
“The Capitol Police could argue that this is an embezzlement or use of government property for personal gain,” Turley surmised.
“The key factor is the fact that this videotape was made with the express intention of publishing or showing it to others. Sex in congressional offices — by both members and staff — has long been known to happen on Capitol Hill. However, this was a public hearing room, albeit closed at the time, and tapes were made of what appeared to be public viewing.”
The employee appears to have deleted his X account.
The former aide, who appeared in a 2020 campaign video with President Biden, has expressed regret over the taped attempt, which took place in an area where Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) sit during a recent markup.
“Although some of my actions in the past have shown poor judgement, [sic] I love my job and would never disrespect my workplace,” Maese-Czeropski wrote on LinkedIn.
“Any attempt to characterize my actions otherwise is a fabrication and I will explore the legal options available to me in this matter.”
Aidan Maese-Czeropski accused of recording sex tapes at work. Linkedin Aidan Maese-Czeropsk
Allegedly lewd payments made by former employees on Venmo — including some labeled “Sexual Favors” and “Bare Dancers” — have come to light after the public ordeal.
The Post was unable to reach Maese-Czeropski for comment.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
