Rep. Gus Savage on Thursday blamed his ethical problems on racism and
”sensational exaggerations” by the news media and refused to acknowledge acting improperly toward a female Peace Corps volunteer who accused him of making unwanted sexual advances last year in Africa.
The House ethics committee, in a report on the allegations against Savage, said the black Illinois Democrat on Nov. 20 wrote a letter to the volunteer in which he ”apologized for his words and actions on that evening,” and ”acknowledged improper conduct.”
Portions of the report, which is to be made public in a few days, have been made available to the Tribune.
The report said, ”Based upon its review of available information and the congressman`s Nov. 20, 1989, letter of apology, the committee believes that Rep. Savage did, in fact, make sexual advances to the Peace Corps volunteer.” Savage had no comment when asked about the letter, and he also said he had no interest in reading the ethics committee`s report.
”I have no interest in the report. I haven`t done anything,” he said to reporters after making an emotional, 30-minute speech on the House floor.
In the speech, he compared his problems to the ”racist viciousness”
suffered by black leaders such as Paul Robeson, Elijah Muhammed, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. at the hands of ”white American mass media, Justice Department and FBI.”
Further, Savage blamed the ”concentrated private power of white television and newspapers” for the allegations, which were made by a black woman.
Savage`s letter to the woman said in part, ”While in Zaire earlier this year, if you felt personally offended by any words or actions of mine, I apologize, because I never intended to offend and was not aware that you felt offended at that time.”
The ethics committee has sent Savage a letter of reproval, according to Rep. John Myers (R-Ind.), ranking Republican on the bipartisan 12-member panel, and said in a report that it ”clearly disapproves of Rep. Savage`s actions.”
Three members of the House had asked the committee to look into a Washington Post report alleging that Savage had ridden in the back seat of a car in Kinshasa, Zaire, with the Peace Corps volunteer in March and repeatedly kissed and fondled her against her will.
Savage dismissed the three colleagues as ”self-appointed guardians of personal morality.”
Savage`s speech was made to a nearly empty chamber after the completion of the day`s regular business but carried live over cable TV.
”The ethics committee, after a preliminary examination of witnesses, apparently decided that the evidence was insufficient even to warrant further investigation,” Savage said.
Savage also noted that the primary election is just a few weeks away in his bid for a sixth term and said ”harm to my re-election bid could have been a purpose of some culprits in this matter.”
Savage faces a challenge in the Democratic primary from educator Mel Reynolds.
