CongressionalBadBoys.com | home | John Peterson John Peterson Republican, Pennsylvania (1997-present) The Honorable John Peterson was accused of sexual harassment when he was a senator in the Pennsylvania legislator, and running for the U.S. Congress.  Katherine Northam filed a formal complaint with the Pennsylvania senate, accusing Peterson of grabbing her breast in an elevator in 1988 when she was an 18-year-old page.   She filed her complaint after the Harrisburg Patriot-News published a story in which other women detailed allegations of unwelcome sexual advances by Peterson.  The newspaper said three other women came forward who said Peterson tried to kiss them in the workplace over the past 10 years.  Three other women sought transfers because they were uncomfortable being near Peterson. A 1997 investigation by the Pennsylvania senate found there was insufficient evidence to press charges.  Investigator Barry Ryan conceded that Northam probably was sexually harassed and that Peterson might have been involved.  But without witnesses and physical evidence, it was "impossible to definitively conclude" that Peterson grabbed her breast while they were alone in an elevator.  Northam called the report a whitewash to save Peterson's reputation.  "I'm disappointed at the evasiveness of the final conclusion," she said.  "When can you definitively conclude sexual harassment has happened?  There is never eyewitnesses and physical evidence, and that is the whole issue of sexual harassment:  It's my word against his word." Voters shrugged this off, and elected Peterson, who is still in Congress. We'll give him the benefit of the doubt.  Peterson becomes only an Honorary Member of the Congressional Sexual Harassment Caucus.   Sources:  "Complaint Prompts Senate Harassment Inquiry," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct. 31, 1996, B2;  Sexual Incident Inquiry Dropped," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jan. 3, 1997, B9.