Former U.S. Congressman Joseph McDade Facing Charges of Indecent Exposure

Joseph McDade, a seventy-five year old former U.S. congressman who served the 10th Congressional district of Pennsylvania, faces charges that he indecently exposed himself at a resort on Sanibel Island, Florida. The charges are based on the eye-witness accounts of at least three different people, and the indecent exposure reportedly took place this past January.

According to the accounts, the former Congressman McDade, was seen openly and unashamedly fondling himself by a pool at the resort in Florida. He continued to proceed with the act while following at least one woman unto the boardwalk by the beach. Apparently, some of the guests and bystanders thought that he was a mental patient or had mental problems because he was continuously flashing everyone at the resort. Some children were also on the beach, although it is unsure if they witnessed the Congressman's indecent acts.

The resort confirms that Mr. McDade was a guest there previously in the week, though not at the time the actions occurred. When the police arrived, the witnesses told them that they had seen Mr. McDade leave in a black Saab convertible. Police were able to track down the vehicle, and McDade gave them his I.D. in the form of a government identification card (he did not have his driver's license with him at the time).

This is not the first time that the former Republican congressman has found himself in a run-in with the law. Federal prosecutors filed racketeering charges against Mr. McDade back in 1992; at that time they alleged he had accepted $100,000 in gifts in exchange for helping defense companies obtain military contracts. McDade, however, was acquitted of these charges in 1996.

During the time Mr. McDade served in the U.S. Congress, he was very popular among his constituents-he served from 1963-1999. He opted not to try for reelection in 1998, because he now suffers from Parkinson's disease. McDade was helpful in securing funding for the Steamtown National Site in Scranton, PA. Several local projects bear his name including McDade Park in Scranton, a terminal at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, and a Scranton expressway.

The charges filed against Mr. McDade carry a maximum penalty of up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The Sanibel police officer on duty took statements from the eye-witnesses. These were then submitted to the state Attorney's office, so that charges against McDade could be determined.

There has been no comment from Mr. McDade or his attorney thus far. A summons will be issued for McDade to appear in court at a date that has not yet been decided.

Sources:
www.wnep.com
www.timesleader.com