Rep. DesJarlais divorce records confirm affairs, his support of abortions
Source: The Hill
Records released Thursday from Rep. Scott DesJarlais's (R-Tenn.) 2001 divorce appear to confirm previous reports that DesJarlais had sexual relationships with patients while a practicing physician in Tennessee.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press obtained the documents, which reveal that DesJarlais, who opposes abortion rights, supported his ex-wife in obtaining two abortions before their marriage.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press also reports that the transcripts from the divorce trial provide a record of sexual relationships DesJarlais had with at least two patients, three coworkers and a drug representative during the time he was chief of staff at Grandview Medical Center in Jasper, Tenn.
The Tennessee Democratic Party had asked a county judge to unseal records from DesJarlais's divorce, but the judge delayed the release until after Election Day.
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Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/268275-rep-desjarlais-divorce-records-confirm-affairs
CoboWowbo
(32 posts)"Do as I say, not as I do..."
freshwest
(53,661 posts)DesJarlais was challenged by Democratic nominee and state senator Eric Stewart. Prior to the 2012 election, the Fourth District was significantly altered as a result of redistricting. Notably, Murfreesboro, formerly the heart of the 6th District, was shifted into the 4th. The redrawn 4th contains about half of the constituents who resided in the former the 4th district, with 14 of 24 counties being moved elsewhere by redistricting.[9]
During the election campaigns, events from DesJarlais' personal life became public, making the 2012 race against Stewart "one of the ugliest Tennessee congressional races in decades".[10] Stories that surfaced included the fact that during the divorce proceedings, DesJarlais' first wife Susan had alleged that her ex-husband engaged in "violent and threatening behavior".[11] Court filings revealed that he had at least four affairs.[12] One was with a female patient. According to the Huffington Post, tapes that DesJarlais himself recorded, show that he pressured her to have an abortion after she became pregnant.[13][14] A second woman came forward, stating that she began dating DesJarlais while she was his patient. She alleges that the two smoked marijuana together and he prescribed pain medications for her while at his house.[15]
In October 2012, the non-profit group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington requested that the Tennessee Department of Health investigate evidence that DesJarlais had a sexual relationship with a patient, an allegation that could open the congressman to disciplinary action for potentially violating medical ethics.[16][17]
DesJarlais defeated Stewart by 128,500 to 101,944[18] joining all the other incumbent members of Tennessee congressional delegation who also won their re-election bids.[3]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_DesJarlais
alp227
(32,034 posts)Chances are he will lose his medical license over the sex with patients. Conduct unbecoming a physician is SO much worse than what Anthony Weiner did that Scott will just be unable to handle being a member of congress during the Tenn. med board disciplinary hearings. So I guess I have named TWO members of congress resigning during the 2013/14 congress.
Remember, Michele Bachmann also won re election. Says a lot about the country huh?
freshwest
(53,661 posts)It'll be interesting to see if TN takes his license. So much skullduggery has taken place and people got away with it. ENRON, Rick Scott in Florida.
One of the best places for scoundrels to hide is in plain sight, in office, where they have immunity. And speaking of that, did you see the thread about the case against Mitt and Bain they're trying to get to court?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014306995
That will be a game changer if it goes forward.
Dubster
(427 posts)Lunabelle
(454 posts)As I offered one woman a form of birth control, she said she couldn't take birth control because she was Roman Catholic!!!!!! I gave up figuring out these type of people long ago.
d_r
(6,907 posts)so they re-elected him.
TheMadMonk
(6,187 posts)louis-t
(23,295 posts)I don't hear any baggers screaming "UNSEAL YER RECORDS" to this guy.
IrishAle
(62 posts)but this being Tennessee, the fact he has an (R) beside his name means it was a losing battle from the start.
We will continue to fight, though at times it feels hopeless.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)Abortions and affairs.
Yikes.
Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)sometimes they want to force women to have children.
Other times they want to force women to have abortions. Babies cost money and some men are real tightwads who have no consideration for the mother's feelings. People usually don't talk about men who try to do that.