Pickering's Wife Claims Mistress' Ultimatum Forced His Retirement From Congress

• By Jackie Kucinich
• Roll Call Staff
• July 16, 2009, 7:43 p.m.

The wife of former Rep. Chip Pickering (R-Miss.) has filed a complaint in a Mississippi circuit court alleging that Pickering had an extramarital affair while serving in Congress and that his decision not to seek retiring Sen. Trent Lott’s (R) seat followed an ultimatum from his mistress.