U.S. Representative Lance Gooden is currently undergoing an ethics review, the House Ethics Committee announced on Monday. The committee stated that the review was referred by the Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC) in June and that the review is being extended to determine if further action is necessary.
The specific allegations against Gooden have not been disclosed by the committee. The committee emphasized that extending a review does not imply any violation of laws or House rules, nor does it indicate that conclusions have been reached.
Gooden has denied any misconduct, characterizing the allegations as "bogus spending allegations" and attributing them to "dishonest unelected OCC bureaucrats." He expressed confidence that the House Ethics Committee will find the claims to be without merit.
"These are bogus spending allegations perpetrated by dishonest unelected OCC bureaucrats, and as the fifth Texas GOP ally of the President to endure one of these attacks, I am confident the House Ethics Committee will confirm their baseless nature," Gooden said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
While Gooden indicated the investigation is finance-related, the precise nature of the allegations remains unclear. The Ethics Committee has not provided further details regarding the referral or the claims under examination.
This is not the first time Gooden has faced scrutiny. In September 2021, the Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics. The complaint alleged that Gooden failed to properly disclose multiple stock transactions within the required timeframe, as mandated by the STOCK Act, a law designed to enhance transparency and prevent conflicts of interest related to congressional trading. The complaint claimed that Gooden made 12 stock purchases in 2020, with a reported value between approximately $60,019 and $376,000, without timely disclosure.
Gooden has consistently denied wrongdoing in past ethics allegations and has maintained his compliance with federal disclosure rules.
The committee expects to announce its next step in this matter on or before November 9, 2026. The investigation is proceeding behind closed doors.