MIDTOWN — Anthony Weiner said he was the victim of a “hoax” after the Daily Mail published a story Wednesday claiming the former Congressman had a months-long sexting relationship with a 15-year-old girl.
Weiner — whose wife, top Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin, recently separated from him after a third sexting scandal came to light — denied having inappropriate conversations or sending lewd photos to an underage girl.
“I have repeatedly demonstrated terrible judgment about the people I have communicated with online and the things I have sent. I am filled with regret and heartbroken for those I have hurt,” Weiner said in a statement.
“While I have provided the Daily Mail with information showing that I have likely been the subject of a hoax, I have no one to blame but me for putting myself in this position. I am sorry.”
The Daily Mail reported that Weiner started texting with the girl in January when she was a sophomore in high school and that he was aware of her age.
He reportedly sent her shirtless pictures of himself and asked her to dress up in a school-girl outfit.
Weiner also shared an email he claimed the girl sent to a teacher and forwarded to him admitting she lied about the relationship.
The letter, a copy of which was shared with DNAinfo New York, read: “I contacted Anthony Weiner. Our online chats were never inappropriate, he was always very helpful and kind. I wanted to publish my story. He was the best candidate to pin the story to.”
The letter continued: “The story needed a hoax to ride on. Speaking of candidates the election is coming up and his wife is Hillary Clinton’s chief of staff. He doesn’t have any credibility, I assumed no one would question the allegations.”
Weiner did not provide details about the nature of conversations he did have with the girl.
An FBI spokesman said they were "unable to confirm or deny investigations," when asked if they were looking into the allegations.
