BREAKING NEWS: Connecticut woman says then-Vice President Joe Biden touched her inappropriately at a Greenwich fundraiser in 2009
A Connecticut woman says Joe Biden touched her inappropriately and rubbed noses with her during a 2009 political fundraiser in Greenwich when he was vice president, drawing further scrutiny to the Democrat and his history of unwanted contact with women as he ponders a presidential run.
"It wasn't sexual, but he did grab me by the head," Amy Lappos told The Courant Monday. "He put his hand around my neck and pulled me in to rub noses with me. When he was pulling me in, I thought he was going to kiss me on the mouth."
Lappos posted about the alleged incident on the Facebook page of Connecticut Women in Politics Sunday in response to a similar account by former Nevada legislator Lucy Flores, which comes as Biden is considering a 2020 run for president. Flores accused Biden of kissing her on the back of her head in 2014, when she was a candidate for lieutenant governor.
Lappos, 43, who is now a freelance worker with nonprofit agencies, said she felt extremely uncomfortable when Biden approached her at the 2009 fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th, where she was volunteering. At the time, Lappos was a congressional aide to Himes, who she said was not in the room when the incident took place.
"I never filed a complaint, to be honest, because he was the vice president. I was a nobody," Lappos said. "There's absolutely a line of decency. There's a line of respect. Crossing that line is not grandfatherly. It's not cultural. It's not affection. It's sexism or misogyny."
A spokeswoman for Biden declined to respond to the allegations by Lappos and instead offered a statement that Biden issued Sunday about the Flores controversy.
"In my many years on the campaign trail and in public life, I have offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort. And not once - never - did I believe I acted inappropriately," Biden said. "If it is suggested I did so, I will listen respectfully. But it was never my intention. I may not recall these moments the same way, and I may be surprised at what I hear. But we have arrived at an important time when women feel they can and should relate their experiences, and men should pay attention. And I will."
Himes, who is in his sixth term as the congressman for southwestern Connecticut, said he first learned Monday about the allegation by Lappos and was not prepared to immediately comment.
The $1,000-per-plate luncheon with Biden took place at Oct. 5, 2009, at the Cliffdale Road home of affordable housing developer Ron Moelis. Future Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy were in attendance, as well as future Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.
Biden spoke for about 20 minutes outside the home on a terrace, which was open to the media. Reporters were not allowed inside the house, which is where Lappos said the incident took place. Lappos appeared in three photos with Biden at the event, which she said were taken after his remarks and before the incident. She said she was in the kitchen with four to five other volunteers, when Biden moved toward her.
Bob Natt, a major contributor to Democrats and an Easton resident, said he and his wife had their photo taken with Biden and did not witness anything questionable.
“The entire photo session was in good fun and Joe did nothing inappropriate,” said Natt, who shared photos from the event with The Courant.
In her Facebook post, Lappos used the pseudonym Alice Paul, the suffragist who championed the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote and the Equal Rights Amendment, to discuss her exchange with Biden.
"Biden did something similar to me at a fundraiser in Greenwich when I was a congressional aide," Lappos wrote in her Facebook post. "I'm really disappointed to see this [Facebook] post ask 'thoughts' as if the grossness of men invading women's boundaries to sniff and touch is debatable. And shame on some of the women here excusing this as boys being boys or it's not as bad as Trump. I can speak from experience when I say it's an incredibly uncomfortable situation and not at all acceptable. We need to hold our men to the same standards we hold all men."
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Unless one or more of these women allege something along the line of Trumpish behavior (we know what that is), this should either come to a halt, or frankly, be ignored.
For better or worse Biden is 76 years old. If he was brought up to believe it is ok to place his hands on a womans shoulders as a (even momentary) show of affection , it is what it is. All things considered , it is not enough to disqualify him for the nomination, and certainly not for the presidency itself (given the current occupant).
Trump himself told Howard Stern that he used to enter teenage beauty contestants dressing rooms without knocking , asserting his "right" as the owner of the pageant.
If that didnt bother the voters, Biden putting his hands on someones shoulders should be a non starter.
While I believe this issue in reality is minor and should not prevent him from running, even you should admit the reaction is quite different than the reaction during the Kavanugh hearings where it was beat in that 'we must believe the women'.
And you are doing what? Helping?
Everything that Biden has done has been in the public eye.
But you do seed opinion pieces
What's that old saying …….
"Turn a "BLIND" eye ?
Joe's been a full blown "Groper" for quite some time now.
but.....he's a nice GROPER !
This one is but you have seeded opinion pieces
Are you implying that I ran a piece to protect Biden? I'll wait for an answer.
Strange how you turn a blind eye to Trump's pussy grabbing. How does that work?
Your wanting to talk about "Trump" now ?
I thought "Going back in time" was considered "Off Topic' on an article !
Who knew it wasn't …..NOW !
This is a hit piece, just like what happened with Kavanaugh, and actually, you are proving my point with my article.
Excuse me? I do believe my article was about Ms.Flores, not Biden. He just was the unhappy recipient of the attack. I am assuming you read it.
The title is incorrect Fish.
"Breaking News" is not in the title of the seed.
Nope, same rules apply to everyone right?
Perrie says it's OK so I too will gladly stick "BREAKING NEWS:" in every title of every seed I promote.
OK?
Brilliant tactic accusing someone of meta with a meta comment!
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"Trump himself told Howard Stern that he used to enter teenage beauty contestants dressing rooms without knocking , asserting his "right" as the owner of the pageant."
Right, because no private citizen has gone on the Stern show and made up some over the top claims just to impress Howard....
Did he tell Howard that Mexico would pay for the wall?
So you admit that trmp lies bigly
"Did he tell Howard that Mexico would pay for the wall?"
Most people who know the crisis going on at the border probably don't care who pays for it. If you have an emergency you don't stop to think how to pay the firemen to put out your house or the doctor in the ER.
But for what it's worth Trump yanking money from Central America might encourage Mexico to put up a little effort in stopping the invasion.
"So you admit that trmp lies bigly"
I admit everybody on Howard's show lies because he is a schock jock and outrageous stories are his bread and butter. That doesn't mean they're true stories.
The people of El Paso Texas tell a different story, I think I'll believe them over Trump and, his minions.
trmp can do no wrong in your eyes, can he?
How about that impromptu open mic moment during his Access Hollywood interview?
You give Trump a pass for this but, you think that Biden should be punished for less. Hypocrite much?
Let's try this,
I can't remember which channel I was watching last night, but they interviewed a recently retired 30 year CBP agent who said he remembers 1986 and 2000 very well,
when they apprehended & processed twice as many immigrants with 1/2 the budget and 1/3 of the agents they have now,
many of whom are always pictured standing around waiting for something.
Then they interviewed the 20 year Congressman Reyes who Beto beat and he said that the sky was not falling, El Paso is safe
and if Trump shuts the boarder, "he's nuts" because the damage will be equal to both countries.
"You give Trump a pass for this but, you think that Biden should be punished for less. Hypocrite much?"
I never said Biden should be punished for anything. I actually don't care what happens to him. Frankly I think the reaction is overblown, though I wouldn't call his familiar behavior wise in this day and age. I'm just enjoying Democrats not holding Biden or any other Dem to the same standard they hold Republicans.
As for the tape- there's a huge difference between a crude private conversation between two men and actually physical contact with women- especially when that person is VP. But I don't think either is a disqualifier.
I don't have to think about paying the firemen because where I live the fire department is a government socialist entity. The doctor in the ER is a different story and if Republicans get their way on healthcare I will probably be left out to die.
The left only pretends to be better than the right.
If the Dems had no options they would defend Biden the same way they defended Bill Clinton. But the Democratic Presidential candidate clown car is already overflowing, and the media is granting the far left lunatics the same type of coverage they did Trump. Biden is never going to make it to the starting gate.
I actually feel bad for Biden; but the fix is in- he wasn't wanted last go around, in favor of Hillary; when he could have defeated Trump. He definitely isn't wanted this go around either.
Sounds like mansplaining or simply not listening to the victims.
As old as Biden is, using his upbringing as an excuse seems rather weird. Has he learned nothing over the last 30 years?
Nice of you to tell everyone else what they should feel. More mansplaining!
Strange how you call that mainsplaining for Biden, when you defended Cavanaugh. Frankly, I see it the same way.
That probably puts you into a very small group of people thinking that way.
My point is that all who are explaining Biden away didn't do it for Kavanaugh, and vice-versa.
I say if someone has a problem with the way they are touched, the time to say something is when it happens.
Waiting decades seems rather pointless and counter-productive, no matter who is being accused.
The woman in the Kavanaugh case said he held her down and tried to take her clothes off. Get back to us when one of Biden's "accusers" says that.
There are actual "NEWS" pictures of Biden ….. "Groping" (not allowed on this article though).
Did "Ford have pictures ?
Now you seem to want to argue degree rather than inappropriateness.
My point is that all who are explaining Biden away didn't do it for Kavanaugh, and vice-versa.
I say if someone has a problem with the way they are touched, the time to say something is when it happens.
Waiting decades seems rather pointless and counter-productive, no matter who is being accused.
There is a HUGE difference between touching a woman on the shoulders and, grabbing them by the P@@@y.
Keep those deflector shields up and running!
Good job!
Got any pictures of Trump grabbing????
Didn't think so.
Got any pictures of Biden touching???
Hmmmm - thought so.
That's not what she said. Go take a look again and get back at us with the correct version.
Exactly.
That is what she said.
Look up the word Groping. He was not groping. You implied it.
Furthermore, if you had actually read the article ( from a small local Conn paper), the accuser is saying that Biden tried to rub noses with her. OMG... call the police! LOL.
No. Just him saying that he can grab any pussy he wants.
Yes. Touching. Not groping. Touching. Have you ever touched? I know I have.
"Pictures' are worth a thousand words, but they aren't allowed here....so it seems !
Grope:
1. Someone who gropes someone else, touches that person’s body without permission.
It's not "Specific" on which part of the "Body" is touched !
Grope:
When used in a sexual context, groping or fondling is touching another person in an unwelcome sexual way. The term generally has a negative connotation in many societies, and the activity may be considered sexual assault. Wikipedia
Gawking is considered "Sexual" these days.
You'll have to be more specific !
"Touching" a Shoulder gently with a come-hither look ?
"Messaging" ones shoulders from "Behind" ?
Hands softly "around" someone's neck ?
Whispers in someone's ear from behind ?
"Kissing" someone with both hands on face ?
That "IS" Joe for ya though.
'I don't ask, I just grab.'
His actual words
I am so sick of the anti Trumpers making false statements. President Trump never said he grabbed anyone by the pussy, You have been misinformed.
Who actually did that?
Some big time Democrat donors must want Biden out of the way really bad. Where do they keep finding these women to come forward?
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Those were actual True News Footage and News photos.
What, that's not allowed EITHER ?
Uber Nicey Nice Grandpa Joe "Can't be scrutinized ?
They were photo's being used out of context, one of them was Biden consoling his grandson at his sons funeral. Most of the time anymore the Right makes me sick. Defend the degenerate Trump but, run everyone else through the mud.
Just "One" of them ?
Any comment on the GIF I posted showing the "Little Girl" moving away from "Nice Joe" ?
Nice try, remember it was Trump who said he'd love to date his own daughter.....when she was sixteen.
Off Topic !
I swear the "Topic" was Joe Biden !
Please provide a direct quote of Trump saying those words, as you claim.
"Deflector shields employed, Captain!"
To be honest....The cast of the"VIEW" loved "Trump", including good ol' "JOY" !!!!!!!
Even the "View" understood it was a Joke !
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No Kidding.
Do you have daughters?
I do. 2 of them.
My husband would never have said that. It's disgusting. Neither would my dad, who had 2 daughters.
That isn't funny. That is sick.
Tessy,
No he hasn't. But he has been inappropriate in what he has said and his family photos.
It is Me,
See that is being honest and nonpartisan. I call them as I see them.
Yep !
"That isn't funny."
The cast of "The View" thought it was. They're now "Main Stream"....so we're told !
Can I show news pictures of "Joe" actually copping a feel from "Stranger children" now, since the Trump Vid wasn't deleted ?
They laughed it off out of discomfort. Who says that about their daughter. Do you?
Where do you come up with this crap?? Got any proof? 'Course not - as usual.
Did they say that ?
The "Left" does have this "Thing" for "Woody Allen" !
That's what I saw also, laughing it off out of discomfort.
I'm sure they never heard that before.
They were also laughing at the turd, he looks like he thinks they're laughing with him, they're not, they're laughing AT HIM!
I believe that he has.
Been posted many times with nary a stitch of proof. You are just wasting your time asking. We both know there is no proof!
Woody Allen is a disgusting pig. I have never seen a movie since he married his daughter.
Adopted Daughter. No "Blood" between them.
People, especially "Hollywood people", defend him to this day !
And on and On !
"When Donald Trump was watching his 16-year-old daughter Ivanka host the 1997 Miss Teen USA pageant, he turned to the then-Miss Universe and asked:
“Don’t you think my daughter’s hot? She’s hot, right?”
The link has the actual audio and the reaction from the show hosts which was universal disgust, one said he was sick and another said "What are you, Woody Allen?".
When asked what he and his daughter both consider their favorite things, Trump answered, “ I was going to say sex".
“Ivanka posing for Playboy would be really disappointing… not really. But it would depend on what was inside the magazine…I don’t think Ivanka would [do a nude shoot] inside the magazine, Although she does have a very nice figure. I’ve said that if Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her. ” - DJT
“You know who’s one of the great beauties of the world, according to everybody? And I helped create her. Ivanka. My daughter, Ivanka. She’s 6 feet tall, she’s got the best body .” DJT
“Yeah, she’s really something, and what a beauty, that one. If I weren’t happily married and, ya know, her father…. ” - DJT
“Is it wrong to be more sexually attracted to your own daughter than your wife?” - DJT
Yes Donald, it is, it really really is.
I'd take a hair sniff and a kiss on the back of the head any day over Trumps barely hidden expressions of incestuous carnal desires.
See, the problem occurs when you jump in trying to answer for others, but not understanding the actual question.
Maybe you can go back, read my post, and answer appropriately.
Galen: Nice try, remember it was Trump who said he'd love to date his own daughter.....when she was sixteen. 4.1.3
You: Please provide a direct quote of Trump saying those words, as you claim. 4.1.5
Me: "I’ve said that if Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her.” DJT - 4.1.23
How exactly am I misconstruing what you asked for?
It's just wonderful.
He actually said that????
what a sick fuck
I forgot about this one.
You should get someone to explain to you what that sentence actually states ": "I’ve said that if Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her.” DJT - 4.1.23
How exactly am I misconstruing what you asked for?
He said IF quite plainly and clearly. He also said PERHAPS.
Now, you go spin it all you want but that doesn't remotely answer the question I asked.
If you can answer the question I asked and the poster attempted to respond to, please, do so.
I will happily read any and all quotes from Trump stating he wants to date his daughter.
Barring that, meh to your post.
We are quickly heading to the simplest of solutions, there will be no further conversation or physical contact between boys and girls.
I myself am not a toucher by any stretch of the imagination, but if there are those willing to hang Biden out to dry over a trait that has been overt over the years (yes I know acceptance levels have changed) then we have certainly gone over the edge.
More "Covert" !
His "Touchy/Feely" always seems to happen at "Important" events, where he thinks no one is really paying attention.
It's just "Grandpa" after all.
That makes no sense whatsoever.
Ya'all want to talk about Joe Biden touching someone, how about this,
I mean you guys really have an angel in Donald Trump.
And this is about Biden? Are you sure? Because other than the opening statement, there is NOTHING about Biden IN your post.
But hey, NICE DEFLECTION!
That MUST mean that Biden never did anything wrong because, well, TRUMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SMMFH
No, what it shows is the hypocrisy on the right. You support Trump in spite of the Hollywood Access tape and, you want to make fun of Joe Biden for doing less and, doing it in public, funny how that seems to work for you guys.
One of the Democrats running for President should employ you as a master deflector.
You've earned the title.
Kudos!
Why is he deflecting?
No one is saying that Biden isn't touchy-feely. He is. But the republicans want to make this into much more than it is.
On the other hand, Trump claimed he could move on a married women and grab pussy and that is OK.
There needs to be one standard. That is the discussion.
Not sure, but strongly suspect it is because something was seeded that was critical of a Democrat. But Trump isn't the topic, and you know it.
That may well explain why Republicans are talking about it, but why would CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, etc. be covering it then?
Don't recall anyone ever saying it was okay, but I would be happy to read any articles substantiating your claim.
Well, I don't see anything in the article about that, but if that is what you want to talk about, seed an article about it and I'll gladly post on it.
What I want to talk about is holding our public figures to the same standards.
Seed an article and we can talk about that.
That isn't what this article is about, though.
Anthony Weiner (D) sexting 15 year old his "Carlos Danger"- Outcome: resigned from congress, convicted and serving 21 month sentence.
Al Franken (D) kissed a groped a woman during a USO show - Outcome: resigns Senate seat and apologizes.
John Conyers (D) accused by former staffer of "unwanted sexual advances" including propositioning her for sex and asked her to touch his genitals - Outcome: resigned from congress
David Wu (D) accused of making unwanted sexual advances toward a fundraiser's daughter - Outcome: resigned from Congress
Eric Massa (D) accused of groping and tickling of multiple male staffers - Outcome: resigned from Congress
Roy Moore (R) accused by 9 women of sexual misconduct with them when they were in their teens - Outcome: goes on to be Republican nominee for the Alabama senate but narrowly loses.
Brett Kavanaugh (R) accused of sexual assault and misconduct by Christine Blasey Ford - Outcome: confirmed to Supreme Court.
Joe Barton (R) acknowledged he took and emailed nude photos of himself in 2015 taken from a video of himself masturbating that he had shared with women online along with messages with sexual overtones that he had sent a female constituent while he was married. Outcome: Stayed in office till he was beaten in the recent 2018 election and was replaced 1/3/2019.
Blake Farenthold (R) paid $84,000 of taxpayer money, via the House of Representatives Office of Compliance, to settle a sexual harassment complaint from a former staffer in 2015. Outcome: Stayed in office till April 2018.
Herman Cain (R) accused of sexual harassment by several women, Sharon Bialek, Karen Kraushaar, and having a 13-year affair with Ginger White and Donna Donella also reported possible inappropriate behavior - Outcome: suspended republican campaign for President.
Scott DesJarlais (R), admitted under oath to at least six affairs, including two affairs with his patients and staffers while he was a physician at Grandview Medical Center in Jasper, TN. Additionally, while running on a pro-life platform, DesJarlais made his ex-wife have two abortions, and tried to persuade a mistress who was his patient, into an abortion as well. Outcome: Currently serving as Republican congressman for Tennessee's 4th district.
Vance McAllister (R) married father of five, caught on surveillance camera deeply kissing a married staffer in 2014. Several prominent Republicans asked McAllister to resign. Outcome: In response, he stated he would not seek re-election in 2016 so he served another 2 years after the scandal.
Donald Trump (R) - accused of sexual assault by nearly two dozen women during the 2016 election and he denied the allegations. The allegations arose after The Washington Post released a 2005 video of Trump, recorded on a hot microphone by Access Hollywood, in which he bragged about sexually assaulting women. His accusers include: Jessica Leeds, Kristin Anderson, Jill Harth, Lisa Boyne, 5 Miss Teen USA contestants, Temple Taggart, Cathy Heller, Karena Virginia, Mindy McGillivray, Natasha Stoynoff, Jennifer Murphy, Juliet Huddy, Rachel Crooks, Samantha Holvey, Ninni Laaksonen, Jessica Drake, Summer Zervos, Cassandra Searles and Alva Johnson. That doesn't include his own ex-wife Ivana who, in her 1990 divorce deposition, accused Donald of raping her in a fit of rage.
Hollywood Access Tape of Donald Trump:
"You know, I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything." - Donald trump
"Whatever you want." - Billy Bush
"Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything." - Donald Trump
Other comments in past insinuating he'd like a sexual relationship with his daughter and/or recognizing her sexual appeal:
“Ivanka posing for Playboy would be really disappointing… not really. But it would depend on what was inside the magazine…I don’t think Ivanka would [do a nude shoot] inside the magazine, Although she does have a very nice figure. I’ve said that if Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her.” - Donald Trump
“You know who’s one of the great beauties of the world, according to everybody? And I helped create her. Ivanka. My daughter, Ivanka. She’s 6 feet tall, she’s got the best body.” Donald Trump
“Yeah, she’s really something, and what a beauty, that one. If I weren’t happily married and, ya know, her father….” - Donald trump
Outcome: Elected President and expects Republicans to elect him to a second term.
Is it just me or does there seem to be a bit of a double standard between the two political parties?
But the republicans want to make this into much more than it is.
It's really not Republicans driving this. It's Democrats.
It's just amusing watching Biden refuse to hold himself to the standards he holds Republicans.
,
Sean, what are you talking about? Did you not read Biden's response to all of this:
Did you not read Biden's response to all of this:
Going back to Clarence Thomas, at least, Biden's always weaponized allegations against Republicans and said accusers should be believed.
Ironic his own side is using the same tactics against him.
My point was that most Democrats reserve judgement, but when a preponderance of evidence or a pattern appears based on the number of similar accusations against a specific party member, Democrats tend to take swift decisive action, metaphorically amputating the gangrenous member. Democrats quickly amputated the Wiener regardless of its sensitive nature, for lack of a better metaphor. Republicans, on the other hand, seem to jump to their candidates defense no matter what or how prolific the accusations are and, if over time definitive proof of their bad behavior is confirmed, they begrudgingly brush the member under the rug claiming they weren't a real Republican anyway. At worst they're just never talked about or recognized as a Republican anymore, like so much water under the bridge. That is, of course, unless they perform the trademarked Republican "Mea Culpa" where they claim they were weak, but have apologized and prayed to God for forgiveness and promise to never, ever, do anything like that again, then Republicans seem to welcome them back like the prodigal son.
You know what... that is left up to the individual. What he did is not rape..it's not even harassment. If a women or man doesn't want it then they can tell him so. I know I wouldn't have an issue doing that.
I thought you were sick of victimhood. This is the ultimate in victimhood.
My wife thinks its creepy. She is a Democrat and the details of him walking up smelling her hair then kissing it got a big yuck out of her.
Someone wrote that after her benefiting from Creepy uncle Joe campaigning for her she had the audacity to complain now, I wonder if they feel the same way about old Harvey Weinstein. Didn't his victims benefit from putting out?
Well, she did lose in a landslide, 60% to 34%, so maybe she's just looking for a bit of payback...