Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
A Connecticut woman alleges former Vice President Joe Biden inappropriately touched her at a 2009 political fundraiser, according to The Hartford Courant. Amy Lappos, a then-congressional aide for Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), told the newspaper that she was working the fundraiser when Biden approached her. “It wasn’t sexual, but he did grab me by the head,” Lappos told the Courant. “He put his hand around my neck and pulled me in to rub noses with me. When he was pulling me in, I thought he was going to kiss me on the mouth.” Himes was reportedly not present at the time of the alleged incident, and Lappos said she didn’t file a complaint because “he was the vice president.”
Lappos originally posted her allegation in a Facebook group in response to claims made by former Nevada lawmaker Lucy Flores, who has accused Biden of kissing the back of her head. “Biden did something similar to me at a fundraiser in Greenwich when I was a congressional aide,” Lappos wrote in the post. “I can speak from experience when I say it’s an incredibly uncomfortable situation and not at all acceptable. We need to hold our men to the same standards we hold all men.” In response, Biden referred the newspaper to a previous statement in which he denied intentionally touching anyone “inappropriately.” Later Monday, Lappos released a new statement saying Biden’s “uninvited affection” was “not okay.” “If Biden truly supports women and gender equality he would step aside and support one of the many talented and qualified women running,” she wrote.