A US Senate staffer from the office of Democratic Senator Ben Cardin has been fired following the leak of a video that allegedly shows two men engaging in sexual acts in a Senate hearing room, according to media reports.
The identity of the individuals in the video has not been officially confirmed; however, Aidan Maese-Czeropski, a legislative aide for Senator Cardin, has been widely named in connection with the incident, according to a report by The Guardian.
The explicit footage, which has caused a stir on Capitol Hill, was first published by the Daily Caller, as per the publication.
Following the release of the video, Maese-Czeropski’s employment with the US Senate was terminated.
The congressional hearing room holds historical significance, having been the venue for crucial events such as the 9/11 commission hearings, according to the Guardian report.
Furthermore, the room witnessed Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor becoming the first Latina to participate in nomination hearings for the nation’s highest court.
Maese-Czeropski took to LinkedIn to address the situation, stating that he has faced attacks over his personal life that have been used to further a political agenda, The Guardian reported.
He admitted to past actions that demonstrated poor judgement but emphasised his dedication to his job and respect for his workplace. He also mentioned that he is considering legal action in response to the situation.
Senator Cardin’s office has confirmed that Maese-Czeropski is no longer employed by the Senate, but declined to comment further, citing it as a personnel matter under review, as quoted by Politico.
