Representative Dale Kildee, Democrat of Michigan, denied allegations Sunday that he sexually abused his second cousin some 50 years ago.
Kildee, who announced his intention to retire from Congress earlier this year, said Sunday that allegations of sexual abuse were the latest attempts by his relatives to blackmail him. In a statement released Sunday, the Michigan Democrat said the allegations resurfaced when his accuser’s son asked him for money and federal benefits. Kildee said he reported the incident to the FBI.
“I regret having to air all of this in public, but I feel like I have no choice,” Kildee said in a statement.
The Washington Times reported that Kildee’s family says he is responsible for his second cousin’s mental illness, because of abuse that happened over 5 decades ago. Kildee said that the family accusing him “has a long history of mental illness and multiple run-ins with the law.”
Kildee has held an 18 year stint in office and is set to retire at the end of his final term.
He represents the 5th Congressional District, all of Genesee and Tuscola and parts of Bay and Saginaw counties in Michigan. After his announcement for retirement in July, Kildee’s nephew, Dan Kildee, said he would be running for the open seat. Jim Slezak, a Democrat turned Republican also said he would seek Dale Kildee’s seat.
