House Ethics Committee unveils sexual misconduct probe into Representative Jimmy Gomez

The California Democrat was reportedly under the congressional ethics microscope over accusations that he kissed a House aide at 2023 party and additional instances of sexual misconduct.WASHINGTON (CN) — The House Ethics Committee announced Monday a probe into California Representative Jimmy Gomez, confirming reports that the Democratic lawmaker was under investigation for accusations of sexual misconduct.Gomez, 51, joins a growing list of members of Congress facing an ethical reckoning as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle grapple with colleagues accused of sexual harassment, unwanted romantic overtures and unprofessional conduct in the workplace.The Ethics Committee, the House’s bipartisan panel that investigates member behavior, said in a news release Monday that it was probing accusations the lawmaker “may have engaged in sexual misconduct” and had “inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer.”As it typically does when unveiling such investigations, the panel noted investigating Gomez’s conduct did not mean he had, in fact, broken House rules. The committee operates in near secrecy and will likely provide additional details on its investigation only once it reaches a conclusion.It’s been reported for months that the California Democrat would be the next target of the Ethics Committee. According to CNN, sources told the outlet the panel began the initial stages of its investigation in June. The committee had initially started the probe to check out media reports that Gomez had been spotted kissing a congressional aide at a party in 2023, but as it investigated those accusations, it uncovered additional reports of sexual misconduct against the congressman.In a lengthy statement to Courthouse News, Gomez acknowledged previous reports of an ethics inquiry.“As I said when the existence of an inquiry was first reported two months ago in the media, years ago, I made personal mistakes outside my marriage,” the lawmaker said. “Although my actions were consensual in nature and haven’t violated the law or House Ethics rules, that doesn’t diminish the impact that these mistakes have made on those I care about the most.”Gomez added he appreciated the panel’s statement that the existence of its probe “does not itself indicate that any violation occurred” and said he would be willing to cooperate with investigators and provide any information they need.“I have and continue to sincerely apologize to my family, friends and the people that I have the privilege to serve,” the California Democrat wrote. “I am deeply sorry to my wife for the pain and embarrassment that I have brought into our lives.”Gomez is just the latest member of Congress to be targeted by an ethics investigation. The Ethics Committee earlier this month recommended North Carolina Representative Chuck Edwards be censured by his colleagues after it concluded the congressman had engaged in “persistent” inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers in his employ.The panel’s report found Edwards not only had made unwanted sexual and romantic advances on the two women but that he’d also been “blind” to — if not entirely dismissive of — how his conduct affected his staff.Separate ethics probes earlier this year led to the high-profile resignations of two other members of Congress: California Representative Eric Swalwell and Texas Representative Tony Gonzales. Swalwell, the front-runner to secure the Democratic nomination in California’s upcoming gubernatorial election, was accused of sexually assaulting a former staffer. He’s denied those claims.Gonzales, for his part, admitted he had an inappropriate relationship with one of his own former staff members, who later died by suicide. Both he and Swalwell resigned nearly simultaneously amid bipartisan outcries.Sexual misconduct isn’t the only scandal that’s rocked Capitol Hill in recent weeks. The Ethics Committee has said it’s also investigating Ohio Representative Max Miller, accused of domestic violence and child abuse by his ex-wife — also the daughter of Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno. Miller has vehemently denied the accusations and suggested his former spouse was motivated by mental illness.The House panel is also probing Florida Representative Cory Mills over reports of domestic abuse.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads