Pelosi urges ‘prompt’ ethics investigation of LA congressman

SAN FRANCISCO – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has called for a “prompt” investigation by the House Ethics Committee into sexual abuse allegations against Rep. Tony Cardenas.

The Los Angeles congressman denies claims that he molested a 16-year-old girl in 2007 when he was a city councilman. Cardenas said Thursday that he’s the unnamed target of a lawsuit alleging the abuse. His lawyer called the allegations “categorically untrue.”

Pelosi on Saturday said Cardenas told her he will co-operate with an ethics investigation. The House Minority Leader said Cardenas asked his colleagues to withhold judgment until there is an examination of the facts.

The lawsuit claims Cardenas gave the girl a peculiar-tasting cup of water while they were playing golf. She says she collapsed and the man fondled her while driving her to the hospital.