Buzzfeed on David Wu: "The Strange Case Of The Congressman Who Resigned And Never Left"

This photo of U.S. Rep. David Wu landed in staffers' inboxes after 1 am on a Saturday morning as concerns about the Democratic congressman's behavior grew. A spokesman for Wu called the photo "a moment with his kids."

Former U.S. Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.) resigned from Congress three years ago after staffers complained about his bizarre behavior, he was photographed wearing a tiger costume and an 18-year-old alleged he made aggressive unwanted sexual advances. 

But Buzzfeed reports today that the Democrat who represented Oregon's 1st congressional district still wanders the halls of Congress, dines at the Democratic National Club and sits in on hearings at the House office building.

"Wu sightings are generally met with snickering and tweets from reporters, cringes from his former staffers, and confused looks from some current members who greet him with half-smiles when they run into him," Buzzfeed reports. "One current congressman, recently approached by Wu on the floor, put it bluntly: 'I don't think he has a sense that he left in disgrace. That chip seems to be missing.'"

Buzzfeed sat down with Wu to talk about his current paid and pro bono work. He's consulting for Chinese companies seeking to invest in the United States, organizing student trips to check out the Chinese space program and giving speeches to youth on civic engagement.

Wu wouldn't discuss his resignation, but he told Buzzfeed he's moved on from his job, and is only staying in D.C. for his teenage kids, who are still in school. 


WWeek 2015

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.