US Senator Ben Cardin reacts to sex-tape scandal inside Senate

US Senator Ben Cardin has said he is angry and disappointed after one of his staffers was reportedly dismissed for participating in the filming of a graphic sex tape inside a Senate hearing room last week. Cardin, a Democrat from Maryland, confirmed to reporters that Capitol Police had launched an investigation after the Daily Caller published a partially censored video that appeared to show two men having sex in a Senate hearing room. Posts on social media later alleged that the man was a staffer in Cardin’s office. “I was angry. I was disappointed. It’s a breach of trust,” Cardin said, adding that his office was “absolutely” cooperating with the Capitol Police investigation. “It’s a tragic situation, and it’s presented a lot of anger and frustration. I’m concerned about our staff and the way that they feel about this.” Cardin continued: “Over the weekend when I learned about it, I made sure that the … appropriate steps were taken.” Soon after the video was leaked online after initially being posted to a private group for gay men working in politics, Cardin’s office released a statement saying: “Aiden Maese-Czeropski is no longer employed by the US Senate.” Maese-Czeropski had previously appeared in a 2020 presidential campaign video with Joe Biden. The video was filmed in the Hart Senate Office Building room 216, US media reports say. The room has previously hosted high-profile government hearings, including the 9/11 Commission and Supreme Court confirmation sessions.