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'I feel the passion and desire': Video shows Madison Cawthorn with male friend's hand on crotch

In the video, Cawthorn says in an exaggerated accent, 'I feel the passion and desire and would like to see a naked body beneath my hands'

Rep Madison Cawthorn, who has long been making headlines for all the wrong reasons, has now been seen in a video having his crotch felt by a male friend and staff member. The footage shows 26-year-old Cawthorn in a car with his close friend and scheduler Stephen Smith, 23.

In the video, obtained by the Daily Mail, Cawthorn sits in the driver's seat and says in an exaggerated accent, "I feel the passion and desire and would like to see a naked body beneath my hands." The camera then shows Smith, who says, "Me too." Cawthorn can be heard laughing, after which Smith films himself reaching his hand over and touching Cawthorn's crotch.

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This video is reportedly one of the many exhibits filed in support of the ethics complaint drafted by the political group 'Fire Madison Cawthorn'. A complaint has been filed with the Office of Congressional Ethics, calling for an investigation into Cawthorn. The complaint also seeks an investigation into a slew of behaviors that have put Cawthorn on the wrong side of a host of House Rules, the group has alleged. 

Who is Stephen Smith?

It has been alleged that Cawthorn has provided thousands of dollars in loans and gifts to Smith. Smith is a staff member with whom Cawthorn has been accused of having an improper relationship. The staffer is so close to Cawthorn that he even joined him on his honeymoon to Dubai in April 2021. Cawthorn has allegedly provided free housing, travel, and loans to Smith. None of these has been declared or repaid. Smith allegedly lives with Cawthorn, as per the complaint.

Smith's Facebook profile says he studied at Western Carolina University. His Twitter bio reads, "I love my country, traveling, and good teeth."

Cawthorn married Cristina Bayardelle, 27, in April 2021, just weeks after several former students at Patrick Henry College, the northern Virginia college he attended in 2016 for one semester, accused him of sexual harassment. At the time of their marriage, Cawthorn described his wife, who is an anesthesiologist assistant and CrossFit athlete, as "the greatest honor, privilege and adventure of my life." Daily Mail said that Smith lived at Cawthorn's Hendersonville, North Carolina, residence throughout their brief marriage. 

A Venmo payment history between Smith and Cawthorn from June 2018, attached to the ethics filing, is full of notes attached to the payments. One payment made by Cawthorn to Smith in the same year reads, "Getting naked for me in Sweden." Another reads, "The stuff we did in Amsterdam," and one more says, "The quickie at the airport." 

Just days ago, Cawthorn was caught with a loaded gun at a North Carolina airport on Tuesday, April 26. The loaded Staccato C2 9mm handgun was found by Transportation Security Administration workers in Cawthorn's bag during security screening at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The North Carolina Republican's gun was recovered at Checkpoint D, the Charlotte Observer reported. He was cited for possession of a dangerous weapon on city property, the department said. Cawthorn was released but his weapon was confiscated. Police said that this was the only standard protocol to not arrest a passenger on the misdemeanor charges “unless there are other associated felony charges or extenuating circumstances.”