Vermont lawmaker apologizes after getting caught on spy cam repeatedly pouring water in fellow legislator’s tote bag

A Republican state legislator in Vermont awkwardly apologized on the House floor on Monday after she was caught on hidden camera repeatedly pouring water into a Democratic colleague’s tote bag.  

State Rep. Mary Morrissey said she was “truly ashamed” of childishly targeting state Rep. Jim Carroll, who dealt with a soaked bag on numerous occasions over the last several months, in what he called “torment.”

“I have given my sincere apology to Jim directly and publicly and will be working towards resolution and restoration through our legislative process,” Morrissey said in front of fellow lawmakers.

“It was conduct most unbecoming of my position as a representative and as a human being and is not reflective of my 28 years of service and civility that I do value toward my colleagues.”

The Republican then begged her colleagues, legislative staff and Vermont citizens to forgive her for her “poor judgment.”

The meek mea culpa only came after Carroll hid a $23 spy camera which captured Morrissey, 67, pouring water in his bag as it hung on a hook outside a committee room, local outlet Seven Days reported.

He shared the caught-on-tape antics, which were recorded in March, with House Speaker Jill Krowinski, who then reportedly confronted Morrissey.

Video of the strange conduct obtained by Seven Days shows Morrissey quickly dump a cup full of water into the bag as she briskly walked by.

Carroll, 62, also addressed the issue on the House floor and said while he heard the sincerity in Morrissey’s voice, he stressed “for five months I went through this.”

“And each time, each day I went through this, Representative Morrissey had a choice to make and each time she didn’t choose to either drop it or to come to me and say look I’m sorry,” he continued.

“It was torment,” he said of the relentless pranking. “There’s no doubt about it.”

The bag-wetting began a couple times a week in January and February, and was then a near daily occurrence after he got back to work following a stint at rehab stemming from a driving under the influence arrest.  

Both lawmakers represent the town of Bennington, which has a population of around 16,000.

With Post wires