WASHINGTON — Rep. Eric J.J. Massa, a Corning Democrat who represents much of the Southern Tier, cited a "major cancer recurrence scare" as he ended his bid for a second term Wednesday — but the second-ranking House Democrat acknowledged that Massa faces an ethics investigation.

Hours after the first-term lawmaker shocked the Capitol by announcing his retirement, House

Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., released a statement saying a member of Massa's staff contacted

his office in the week of Feb. 8 with "allegations of misconduct" against Massa.

Hoyer did not detail the allegations, but in a conference call earlier in the day, Massa

dismissed charges that he had harassed a member of his staff.

"There are blogs that are saying that I'm leaving because there were charges of harassment

against my staff," he said. "Do I or have I ever used salty language when I'm angry,

especially in the privacy of my inner office or even at home? Yes, I have, and I have

apologized to those where it is appropriate."

In Hoyer's statement, the majority leader's spokeswoman said that after he learned of the

misconduct allegations, he told his staff to inform Massa that he should bring the complaints

to the bipartisan House Committee on Standards and Conduct within 48 hours. If that didn't happen, Hoyer said, he would

do so himself.

Two days later, the committee and Massa's staff both told Hoyer that an investigation was

under way.

"Mr. Hoyer does not know whether the allegations are true or false, but wanted to ensure

that the bipartisan committee charged with overseeing conduct of members was immediately

involved to determine the facts," said the statement, issued by Hoyer spokeswoman Katie Grant.

Massa angrily dismissed the allegations during a two-minute conference call with reporters.

Apparently referring to Politico, a Washington news organization that raised the harassment

issue, Massa said that such accusations are "unsubstantiated, without fact or backing [and] a

symptom of what's wrong with this city."

Massa later told the Talking Points Memo blog: "The allegations are totally false. I'm a

salty old sailor. That's that."

In his phone call with reporters, Massa attributed his decision to retire to his health.

"Last December, I underwent my third major cancer recurrence scare and was briefly

hospitalized," said Massa, adding that only his immediate family knew about the incident.

"I'm a very salty guy, a very direct guy, and I run at about 100 miles an hour," said

Massa, 50, who recovered from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma while serving in the Navy in the 1990s.

"And my doctors have made it clear to me that I can no longer do that. It is therefore only

fair and right that I announce today that I will not seek re-election."

Massa took no questions during his call with reporters, in which he also said: "I will now

enter a final phase of my life at a more controlled pace. And I'd like my constituents to know

that I remain fully committed to helping the families of the 29th Congressional District."

Massa's retirement came as a huge surprise.

After defeating incumbent Republican Randy Kuhl in 2008, Massa worked his district

tirelessly, holding dozens of town meetings with constituents when his Western New York

colleagues refused to do so.

And he attracted extraordinary media attention during his one term in office, frequently

appearing on MSNBC and often rejecting his own party's legislation on issues ranging from

health care reform to climate change.

Nevertheless, Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, said Massa told him two weeks ago that he was

considering retirement because "the political situation was so difficult."

Massa's retirement will make the Republican nominee the overwhelming favorite in the 29th

District, which includes Cattaraugus and Allegany counties. It is one of the state's more

conservative districts.

Hornell Mayor Shawn D. Hogan, chairman of the Steuben County Democratic Committee, said

Massa called him to say he was retiring.

"He asked me to be the candidate for the 29th Congressional District," he said. "I told him

I was humbled, and it will be something I will have to do some deep soul-searching about with

my family. I will give it serious consideration."

Former Corning Mayor Tom Reed has been running against Massa for months and becomes the

early GOP favorite, though Massa's departure could prompt other Republicans to join the race.

Republican sources also mention Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks and Assembly Minority

Leader Brian M. Kolb of Canandaigua as possible candidates. And Kuhl issued a statement

indicating that he may consider another run.

For his part, Reed said: "I was saddened to hear that Congressman Massa's health will

preclude him from running for re-election. While the congressman and I disagreed on political

issues, I respect his military and public service and wish him the best."

In a statement, Kuhl left the door open for a run at regaining his old seat, saying: "I

will address any political decisions in the future, but right now it is important for Eric to

get the treatment that he needs to recover."

Meanwhile, State GOP Chairman Edward F. Cox issued a statement focusing not on Massa's

illness, but on the ethics allegations.

"Like so many other New York Democrats, his personal and professional behavior has left

Massa scrambling for self-preservation rather than focused on public service," Cox said.