What to Know
- An aide to Democratic U.S. Rep. Anthony Brindisi of New York has been charged by state police with patronizing a prostitute
- Brindisi's office says 57-year-old John Stemen has been fired
- A phone message left for Stemen on Friday wasn't immediately returned
An aide to Democratic U.S. Rep. Anthony Brindisi of New York was charged by state police with patronizing a prostitute Friday, New York State Police announced.
The aide, John Stemen, was fired from his position as a caseworker Thursday when Brindisi's office learned of the allegations, according to a statement emailed to reporters.
"As soon as we were made aware of the charges, John Stemen was immediately terminated," according to the statement.
Stemen did not immediately return a phone message left for him Friday.
The 57-year-old Utica resident was arrested Friday.
"Stemen was charged following an investigation involving a 17-year-old who he admitted to meeting via the internet and paying $200 for a sexual date," according to the state police statement on the arrest.
Local
Stemen had worked as a communications aide to Brindisi when he served in the New York state Assembly prior to his election to Congress last fall.
The charge against Stemen is a misdemeanor. He's scheduled to appear in Utica City Court on May 20.
