Key takeaways:
- The House Ethics Committee said it is investigating whether Rep. Jimmy Gomez engaged in sexual misconduct, including possible inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer.
- Gomez said his actions were consensual, denied violating the law or House ethics rules, and said he would cooperate with the committee’s inquiry.
- The investigation follows reporting that Gomez was seen in 2023 kissing a congressional staff member who worked for another office.
The House Ethics Committee said Monday it is investigating Rep. Jimmy Gomez, a California Democrat, over allegations of sexual misconduct, including possible “inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer.”
The bipartisan panel said it is reviewing whether Gomez “may have engaged in sexual misconduct in violation of the Code of Official Conduct or any other applicable standard of conduct.” The committee also cautioned that opening and publicly disclosing the review “does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred.” It said it would make no further public comment except under committee rules.
Gomez denied breaking the law or House ethics rules, while acknowledging what he described as personal mistakes outside his marriage.
“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,” Gomez said in a statement Monday. “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. I take full responsibility and have committed myself to working through the pain privately with my wife and family.”
He said he had sought professional help “to help re-center and heal my relationships and move forward with honesty, transparency, and respect.”
“I have and continue to sincerely apologize to my family, friends, and the people that I have the privilege to serve,” Gomez said. “I am deeply sorry to my wife for the pain and embarrassment that I have brought into our lives. Her sacrifices and support are central to my ability to serve, and I can only feel gratitude for her grace and strength.”
Gomez said he would cooperate with the inquiry and provide the committee with whatever information it needs. “I respect the Committee’s process and am confident that a full and impartial review of the facts will bear that out,” he said. In a statement to NPR, he added that, out of respect for his family and the ongoing process, he would have no further comment.
The investigation follows earlier reporting about Gomez’s conduct. The New York Post reported in April that Gomez had been seen in 2023 kissing a congressional staff member who worked for another office. NPR reported that a Gomez spokesperson told the Post at the time that the accounts shared with the outlet were “not true.” CBS News reported that CNN said in June the Ethics Committee had opened an investigation after the Post story, and that the panel learned of other allegations of sexual misconduct after it began reviewing the matter.
Gomez has represented parts of Los Angeles in the House since 2017. NPR reported that he faces Angela Gonzales-Torres, a community advocate and fellow Democrat, in his November reelection bid. In a June statement posted to X, Gonzales-Torres referred to “what appears to be a culture in Congress in which men abuse women” and said that if Gomez “has nothing to hide, he should have no concern. But if there was any criminal behavior that he witnessed, participated in, or helped conceal, we will find out and we will help ensure accountability and justice.”
The House Ethics Committee has authority to investigate possible violations of federal law and House rules and may recommend punishment for members found to have committed violations. CBS News reported that earlier this month the panel recommended that the full House censure Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards after a probe into sexual harassment allegations; Edwards dropped his reelection bid days later. NPR reported that Edwards denied the allegations.
NPR also reported that the Gomez inquiry is among several Ethics Committee matters in this Congress involving allegations of sexual misconduct, assault or other impropriety, including investigations or allegations involving former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California, Texas Republican Tony Gonzales, Republican Rep. Max Miller of Ohio and Republican Rep. Cory Mills of Florida. According to NPR, Swalwell and Edwards denied the allegations against them, while Miller and Mills deny wrongdoing.
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