Mich. congressman denies sex abuse 50 years ago
— -- WASHINGTON -- Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Mich., on Sunday night denounced as "false and shameful" allegations raised against him that he sexually abused his second cousin about 50 years ago, when the cousin was 12.
Kildee, 82, of Flint, Mich., said the allegations are a "concerted effort by distant relatives" who have tried to blackmail him. He said in a news release Sunday night that the allegations resurfaced recently when his accuser's son asked him for money and federal benefits, which Kildee reported to the FBI.
"I regret having to air all of this in public," Kildee said, "but I feel like I have no choice."
The Washington Times reported Sunday that Kildee's family members were accusing him of sexually abusing his cousin about five decades ago. The Times based its story on an interview by Jon Yinger, who owns the Christian Broadcasting System in Flint.
Yinger interviewed a woman who accused Kildee of abusing her son, Kildee's second cousin. She said the family blames Kildee for the son's "mental illness and behavioral issues over the years."
Kildee will complete his 18th, two-year term in office next year and is set to retire at the end of it. He said in his statement that the relatives accusing him "have a long history of mental illness and multiple run-ins with the law" and are being aided by "political adversaries" trying to "destroy my reputation by lying about something that never took place more than 50 years ago."
Kildee included with his response to the allegations audiotapes that he indicated showed the family was trying to blackmail him. He also said that 20 years ago, the accuser's wife demanded federal benefits from him.
Kildee said the accusations were raised during his last congressional race.
"Now they are back at it again to try to win an open congressional seat," he said.
Dan Kildee, Dale Kildee's nephew and a former Genesee County, Mich., treasurer, is running for his open seat. Also joining the race is Jim Slezak, a onetime Democratic state lawmaker from Davison who declared himself a Republican to run for the seat.
In announcing his retirement in July, Kildee said he wanted to spend more time with his wife, three children and 10 grandchildren.
Related Stories
ABC News Live