The House Ethics Committee has recommended that Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) be censured for creating a hostile work environment and repeatedly acting inappropriately toward two young female staffers. The bipartisan panel's findings, detailed in a 25-page report released Monday, indicate that Edwards violated House rules through his conduct.
The committee stated that Edwards asserted he knew what constituted sexual harassment but that his actions went beyond avoiding physical touch or explicit comments. "Despite the absence of an explicit proposition, a reasonable person could interpret Representative Edwards’ intimate and effusive attentions, where he prioritized the personal over the professional, as thinly veiled advances," the report reads.
According to the investigation, Edwards singled out the two staffers, made frequent comments about their appearance, sent them late-night messages, texted "deeply personal and seemingly romantic thoughts," and spent thousands of dollars on gifts, including designer bags, guns, and personal vacations. The report noted that Edwards intentionally deleted messages that were particularly inappropriate, undermining his claims of having professional relationships with the women.
One text message cited in the report, sent after one staffer moved back to North Carolina, read in part: "I’m so so SO happy for you but I can’t pretend this doesn’t sting — deeply. Your absence leaves a space no one else can fill — professionally or personally. Even at my loss, I promise you will never find anyone that wishes for your happiness more than me. NEVER, ANYONE!"
Edwards also reportedly wrote poems to one staffer and read one at her farewell party in the congressional office, accompanied by a slideshow, during which he cried.
The committee announced its investigation into Edwards in May, following reports of his alleged inappropriate behavior toward the staffers, who were in their 20s. Edwards has denied the report's findings and maintained to the committee that he did not engage in unethical behavior. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The investigation into Edwards comes after Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) resigned from the House in recent months following allegations involving former staffers. The House is currently on break until Aug. 31, meaning any vote on a resolution of censure against Edwards is not expected until the session resumes.