Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., confessed Wednesday he was involved in an extramarital affair with a personal friend.
“Last year I became involved in an affair with a personal friend,” he said in a statement. “This is nobody’s fault but my own, and I offer no excuses. To the extent that there should be any blame in this matter, it falls solely upon me.”
“I ask the media to respect the privacy of my family. They have done nothing wrong and deserve to be left alone,” he added.
Jesse Sally, the husband of the woman Murphy had an affair with, cited the congressman as part of his reason for divorcing his wife, Shannon Edwards. Sally’s original divorce complaint included adultery and that Edwards was involved in an affair with “a well-known political figure in the community,” the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette reported.
Additionally, Sally attempted to depose Murphy in July. Sally’s lawyer said the deposition was relevant to alimony requests from Edwards.
Meanwhile, Murphy’s lawyer, Kenneth Horoho Jr., spoke out against the deposition and attempted to quash the subpoena.
“Why do you need to depose him other than to harass him?” he asked. “They got the marital misconduct. They admit it.”
The judge denied the motion to quash the subpoena. Murphy will be deposed by Sally’s attorney on Sept. 29. He also will provide dates of political and work events and his emails between himself and Edwards.
Murphy has served eight terms in Congress and is also a practicing psychologist. Edwards is a forensic psychologist.
Murphy and Edwards met when Edwards contacted Murphy’s office to assist with a mental health bill, which was signed into law in December.
Edwards said her relationship with Murphy was only friendly at first and they worked very hard to pass legislation to help her clients.
Edwards said her relationship with Murphy has ended.
