House Ethics Probes Gomez Over Staffer Misconduct
House Ethics Probes Gomez Over Staffer Misconduct
The News
The House Ethics Committee announced Monday that it is investigating Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., over allegations of sexual misconduct — including, in the committee's words, "engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer."
The bipartisan panel released a letter saying it is reviewing claims that Gomez may have engaged in sexual misconduct in violation of House rules.
The committee noted that opening a review does not itself mean a violation occurred.
Gomez has acknowledged mistakes in his marriage but says his conduct was consensual and broke no House ethics rules.
Timeline
Gomez was seen kissing a younger aide, according to a New York Post report.
The New York Post first published that account of the encounter.
Gomez publicly admitted to marital misconduct, saying: "Years ago, I made personal mistakes outside my marriage that have caused real pain to my wife and family." He denied breaking any law or House ethics rule. The Ethics Committee quietly opened its investigation the same month, after CNN first reported the probe's existence.
The committee formally confirmed the investigation in a public letter.
Reactions
Gomez has framed the matter as a private failure rather than an official one, telling the public he made "personal mistakes outside my marriage" and saying the conduct at issue was consensual and did not violate House Ethics rules. He has pledged full cooperation with the committee and said he will provide whatever information it needs.
Coverage split fast along familiar lines. Fox News, the Washington Examiner, the New York Post and The Gateway Pundit led on the "inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer" language and on Gomez's party. Raw Story described him as a "scandal-plagued lawmaker" facing fresh allegations. NPR, CBS News, CNN, The Hill and Mediaite reported the announcement and Gomez's denial that any rule was broken.
What's Next
The committee said it will make no further public comment while its process runs, under its own rules. That leaves two open questions: whether investigators find violations beyond what Gomez has already admitted, and what punishment, if any, the panel recommends.
More
Sexual contact between a member of Congress and a House staffer violates the chamber's Code of Official Conduct. A finding against a member can lead to censure — a sanction that carries no automatic practical penalty but plenty of political damage. Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards dropped his reelection bid after the committee recommended censure over similar conduct.
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