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Anthony Weiner Has a 'Horrible' Problem and Needs Treatment, De Blasio Says

By Jeff Mays | September 22, 2016 5:21pm
 Disgraced ex-congressman and former mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner has a
Disgraced ex-congressman and former mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner has a "problem" and needs "treatment," Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday following reports that Weiner sexted with a 15-year-old girl. Pictured here with wife Huma Abedin.
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DNAinfo/Ben Fractenberg

NEW YORK CITY — Disgraced ex-congressman and former mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner has a "problem" and needs "treatment," Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday following reports that Weiner sexted with a 15-year-old girl.

"It's horrible, I mean it's so sad," de Blasio said when asked about the accusation Thursday during a press conference in The Bronx.

"It's not a secret Anthony obviously has a real problem that needs treatment. And all I can say is that I hope he will pursue the treatment he needs and stick with it until his issues are addressed."

The Daily Mail published a story Wednesday about a 15-year-old girl who said she carried on a sexting relationship with Weiner.

Weiner sent the girl shirtless pictures, engaged in explicit sexual talk and asked her to dress up in a schoolgirl outfit, according to the report.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the allegations "sick" and "possibly criminal."

Weiner is separated from his wife, Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin. She announced their split after his recent sexting activities were made public. One picture Weiner sent to a woman he had been engaging with online featured him in his underwear and lying next to his young son.

"I have known Anthony over the years but I've known Huma much better having served side by side with her during the 2000 senate campaign," said de Blasio.

"I think the world of Huma. I just feel horrible for her and her son that they're going through this."

Weiner claims the allegations involving the 15-year-old are part of a hoax.

“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," Weiner said in a statement.

Weiner's previous sexting scandals ended his congressional career and later derailed his run for mayor in 2013.

NYPD detectives are examining the allegations against Weiner.