Florida Congressman's Wife Files for Divorce

MIAMI -- The wife of a Florida congressman embroiled in an adultery scandal has filed for divorce.

Rep. Tim Mahoney (D) admitted last week to having at least two affairs, including with an aide whom he paid to keep quiet about their relationship. His wife, Terry Mahoney, did not comment on seeking the divorce, and her attorney, Karen Steger, said Monday that "the petition speaks for itself."

The petition filed in a Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., court asks for a dissolution of the marriage and for dividing assets, but does not give a reason. Florida is a no-fault-divorce state.

Mahoney's campaign had no comment, calling it "a personal matter," and the congressman did not return a telephone call seeking comment.

Mahoney has called for an investigation into his own conduct by the House ethics committee. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also called for an inquiry.

Mahoney, 52, said he had a sexual relationship with Patricia Allen, 50, whom he met while campaigning in 2006. Allen worked for his congressional office, then his campaign. Mahoney said she was fired for performance issues, not because of the affair.

Allen threatened to sue Mahoney for sexual harassment, and they reached a settlement to avoid a public airing of the affair. Her payout of about $122,000 came from Mahoney's personal accounts, not from campaign funds or federal dollars, the congressman said.

Mahoney is also being investigated by the FBI to determine whether he broke any laws when he hired a mistress to work on his staff. And investigators are looking into whether Mahoney showed preferential treatment to Martin County, in his Florida district, when he lobbied for $3.4 million in hurricane cleanup funds awarded last year.

Mahoney acknowledges that at the time he was having an affair with a Martin County official, but insists he did nothing extra.