Massa Fires Back at Aide

Eric Massa fired right back at his former chief-of-staff yesterday, alleging that Joseph Racalto wrote himself a suspicious $40,000 check from Massa's campaign war chest as he was forced to resign amid sexual harassment allegations. Racalto not only decided the amount, but he or someone forged the former congressman's signature, Massa says. Politico notes that it's not unusual for top staffers to be authorized to sign such checks.

Nonsense, says Racalto's lawyer: “The former congressman is trying to discredit someone who is making a sexual harassment complaint against him. It would be ridiculous for anyone in the campaign to cut a check for $40,000 without the specific approval of Congressman Massa.” (More Eric Massa stories.)