The House Ethics Committee has launched an investigation into Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., concerning allegations of sexual misconduct, including inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer. The committee announced the investigation on Monday, acting as the internal watchdog for the House of Representatives.
Gomez, who has served in Congress since 2017, is a married father and founded the Congressional Dads Caucus. The Ethics Committee stated that the allegations under review are not evidence of wrongdoing and that the committee typically operates in secrecy until its findings are released.
This investigation places Gomez among other recent House lawmakers accused of misconduct or harassment involving congressional aides. In a notable case earlier this year, the Ethics Committee detailed sexual harassment accusations against Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., involving two young staffers. Although Edwards denied wrongdoing, the committee recommended his censure, and the resulting backlash led him to withdraw from his re-election bid.
The New York Post reported earlier this year that Gomez was observed kissing a staffer described as significantly younger during the summer of 2023. In June, Gomez acknowledged making personal mistakes outside of his marriage that caused pain to his wife and family, stating that while his actions were consensual and did not violate laws or House ethics rules, they still had an impact on his loved ones.