Berkley says Weiner behavior ‘inexcusable,’ stops short of demanding resignation

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said Thursday that Rep. Anthony Weiner's online conduct and his lies about it were "inexcusable," but she stopped short of calling outright for him to resign his seat in Congress.

Berkley weighed in on Weiner, who has been an ally on Middle East matters and who has been outspoken on many issues on which they share a Democratic philosophy.

But Berkley said that's all done.

Weiner "has severely compromised his ability to be an effective leader," she said in a statement. "I believe his behavior is inexcusable."

Berkley said it is up to Weiner to come to a decision whether to stay in the U.S. House or whether to go.

"We had a similar situation here in Nevada with Senator Ensign, and I said that whether or not the senator remains in office is something he, his family and his constituents would have to determine, and that is how I feel about Congressman Weiner," she said.

Ensign, a Republican, hung on to his Nevada seat for almost two years while facing allegations of wrongdoing from an extramarital affair and cover-up. He resigned last month as Senate ethics investigators were completing a highly critical report.

Berkley said similarly she supported the House Ethics Committee launching an investigation into whether Weiner violated his office.

"Anthony Weiner cannot escape the fact that his irresponsible behavior, and the lies he told, are indefensible and have done great harm on many levels," Berkley said.

Berkley's criticism adds to the woes of Weiner, the New Yorker who admitted Monday he sent an underwear-clad crotch photo of himself to a Twitter follower after lying about it to the media and constituents since the photo surfaced over the Memorial Day weekend.

Further, Weiner, 46, confessed to having sexually provocative online conversations with a half-dozen women over a period of three years. Some of them appeared game to the talk while others have said they were creeped out.

Weiner has said he does not plan to resign, although colleagues, including a growing number of Democrats, have called on him to leave Congress.

Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., declined to comment on Weiner. A spokesman said Heck "doesn't want to interfere with the Ethics Committee."

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Tuesday if Weiner called him seeking help, Reid's advice would be to "call someone else."

"I know Congressman Weiner," Reid said. "I wish there were some way I could defend him, but I can't."

One of the women who engaged in steamy online conversations with Weiner was Lisa Weiss, 40, a Las Vegas blackjack dealer.

Weiss has been in the media crosshairs since coming forward this week as one of the women who had exchanged racy messages with the New Yorker.

She had been silent since June 3 as the scandal erupted. But, she was back online Thursday.

"wow! u sure find out who your real friends are when you ae having a personal meltdown," Weiss said on Twitter via her @liberallisa account.

In an interview Wednesday with TMZ.com, a celebrity and gossip news site, Weiss said was "humiliated" and felt guilty about her involvement with Weiner, although she said she remained a supporter of his liberal politics and did not think he should be forced from office.

In Las Vegas, the windows on the front door of Weiss' listed address on Wednesday were covered with sheets of paper to discourage anyone wanting to peek inside.

A handwritten sign taped to the door said, "NO TRESPASSING. NO REPORTERS. NO INTERVIEWS. NO MEDIA," followed by a threat to prosecute "anyone not leaving this property."

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760.