Denying that he groped anyone sexually, former N.Y. Rep. Eric Massa said Tuesday that he was responsible for the events leading up to his resignation Monday in the wake of a House ethics investigation into sexual harassment allegations.

"I forced myself out," Massa told Fox News' Glenn Beck in his first interview since his resignation.

The declaration contradicted assertions Massa made over the weekend that Democratic leaders forced him out because of his opposition to their health care reform bill. Democratic leaders have denied those assertions.

Massa added Tuesday that he "owned this misbehavior."

"I did nothing sexual, but I did things that were wrong," Massa said. "I failed. I didn't live up to my own codes. I own this. I take full and complete responsibility for my misbehavior. And goodness only knows what allegations they're going to throw at me."

The Washington Post, citing anonymous sources, first reported that the House ethics panel is investigating allegations Massa groped multiple male staffers in his office.

Massa told Fox News that, yes, he groped a male staffer -- but not sexually.

"Not only did I grope him, I tickled him until he couldn't breathe and then four guys jumped on top of me," he said. "It was my 50th birthday. It was 'kill the old guy.' You can take anything out of context."

Massa has previously claimed his misconduct was limited to using inappropriate language with staffers.

Massa's interview came after the former New York Democrat alleged that party leaders conspired to force him out of office so they would have an easier time approving the health care reform bill.

In a radio interview Sunday, Massa described himself as the "deciding vote" on health care.

Massa was one of 39 House Democrats who voted no on the legislation last November. The House Democratic leadership has been courting nearly all of its caucus members who opposed the bill in an effort to flip them to vote yes in the next round.

The White House denied Massa's assertion Tuesday. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs noted that Massa has cited different reasons for stepping down, from his health -- a recurrence of cancer -- to using salty language, to being forced out by Democrats because of his opposition to health care legislation.

"I don't why I'd give any weight to what he said on the fourth day, or the previous three," Gibbs said. "The notion the White House had anything to do with the series of events...as I said this morning was silly and ridiculous."