U.S. Sen. Max Baucus (D-Montana) has confirmed that a woman he nominated as U.S. Attorney for the State of Montana is his lover.
The woman, Melodee Hanes, is also a former member of Baucus’ staff.
Baucus, 67, reportedly began the affair with Hanes, 53, in the summer of 2008 – or a few months after separating from his wife of 25 years. Baucus and his wife were divorced in April of this year.
Hanes ultimately removed her name from consideration for the U.S. Attorney’s position, taking a job in Washington at the Justice Department – and moving in with Baucus at his D.C. residence.
The story – which broke late Friday evening in Roll Call – was picked up in wide circulation Saturday.
Baucus is defending the nomination of his girlfriend, saying that Hanes was a “highly qualified prosecutor.”
Also, a spokesman for his office says that Hanes “was awarded the (Justice Department) position based solely on her merit.”
Mmmm-hmmm.
And yes, for everybody wondering, this is what Hanes looks like.
By Ynot December 6, 2009 at 5:36 am
oh goodie, maybe Sanfraud will give Maria a job in SC too!!!
my guess is she’d be happy with Citizenship RIGHTS
By Client 9 December 6, 2009 at 6:35 am
I’ve Melodee’s picture, she’s rather ugly. If I were a senator, I could do better than that. Much better.
By PasserBy December 6, 2009 at 9:44 am
FITS:
With what I read elsewhere, she’s his “current” lover, not his former. I think she got a job in DC after withdrawing her Montana nomination so they could live together; doesn’t sound like a “former” to me, if that’s true.
By Jed December 7, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I’m not sure what the story is here… he’s single or at least separated and it’s not like she’s some escort he’s propping up in a cushy job, by all accounts she’s qualified. Is the rule that you have to stop working once you start screwing a Senator?