Rep. Tim Mahoney paid a $121,000 settlement to a former female member of his staff with whom he allegedly had an affair over the past two years. A spokesman of the Democrat assured the media that no campaign or office funds were used to pay for the settlement.

The former staff member was reportedly threatening to sue Mahoney. The woman, Patricia Allen, also got a $50,000 a year job for two years at the agency that handles Mahoney’s campaign as part of the settlement. Mahoney’s spokesperson didn’t give details about the affair, but underlined that the woman resigned of her own accord and "has not received any special payment from campaign funds."

However, the Democrat Representative’s members of staff gave some details about his affair with Allen. The affair reportedly started in 2006 during Mahoney’s campaign for Congress. Mahoney met Allen at a campaign stop and then hired her as a volunteer for his campaign.  

Ironically, in his battle with Foley for Congress, Mahoney was promising "a world that is safer, more moral."

After Mahoney won the 2006 election, he hired Allen in his Congressional staff in Florida. At the taxpayers’ expense, Mahoney offered Allen a yearly salary of $36,000. After rumors of their affair reached Washington, Allen was transferred to the campaign staff.

When Allen learned that Mahoney was having other extra-marital relationships, she wanted to put an end to the affair, but soon found out that it would cost her the job.

"You work at my pleasure," Mahoney allegedly told her on a January 20, 2008 telephone call that was recorded, ABC reported after being provided with a copy.