Senate ethics panel dismisses complaint against Gallego

The Senate Ethics Committee has dismissed a misconduct complaint against Sen. Ruben Gallego after investigating allegations that included campaign finance violations and inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature, Gallego’s office said Monday.

In a June 26 letter to the Arizona Democrat, the bipartisan panel said it “did not find evidence that your actions violated Federal law, Senate Rules or related standards of conduct.” The committee said the complaint was filed by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, and that it had reviewed the allegations after Gallego requested an investigation.

“We are writing to inform you that the Select Committee on Ethics dismissed a complaint filed against you by Representative Anna Paulina Luna,” the committee wrote, according to a letter obtained by NBC News. The panel is led by Chair James Lankford, R-Okla., and Vice Chair Chris Coons, D-Del.

The committee said it referred the allegations to Gallego and sought additional information from him on April 17 and May 15, 2026. It considered the complaint, statements from individuals identified in it, Federal Election Commission reports, House and Senate expenditure reports and other information. The panel also said Gallego provided full cooperation during the investigation.

“As always, the Committee retains the authority to revisit this matter should additional facts become known to the Committee,” the letter said.

Luna made the allegations publicly in April. In an interview with CBS News, she said the alleged misconduct was “sexual in nature” and involved campaign finance violations. “There is a woman that allegedly is coming forward with attorneys [and] wants to go on-record about an incident that occurred between the two of them at the same time, and the event was sexual in nature, allegedly,” Luna said. She added, “I think any time that you are knowingly engaging in purchasing someone for sex, that that is something that should be taken seriously.”

On April 23, amid reports about allegations involving then-Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., Luna wrote on X: “I have now heard of 4 women who have had multiple and uncomfortable/inappropriate advances/comments/touching, etc. from Senator Gallego. This is not made up and the Senate is being awfully quiet about it.” Her complaints were referred to the Senate Ethics Committee.

Gallego denied wrongdoing throughout the process. His office said Monday that the dismissal confirmed his position from the start.

“Today’s dismissal reaffirms what I have said about these accusations from the beginning: they were right-wing conspiracies peddled by far-right activists like Anna Paulina Luna, the White House, and their allies,” Gallego said in a statement. “I look forward to an apology from Rep. Luna for weaponizing the ethics process while refusing to investigate historic corruption that’s making life harder for families. In the meantime, I will continue fighting for Arizonans and holding Trump Republicans accountable for high costs and new wars.”

NBC News reported that Gallego had been engaging with the committee investigation and set up a legal defense fund last month to help pay fees. His office said Monday that he is maintaining the fund for outstanding legal fees.

Luna’s allegations came as several women accused Swalwell, who was close with Gallego, of sexual misconduct. Swalwell resigned from Congress in April and ended his bid for California governor. NBC News reported that Swalwell apologized for “mistakes in judgment” and has denied at least some of the allegations he faced. Gallego has denied any knowledge of alleged misconduct by Swalwell and said he was “lied to” and “manipulated” by him.