USA19 August, 20263 min read
Woman Tells House Ethics Committee Rep. Jimmy Gomez Sexually Assaulted Her, Attorneys Say
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A woman told House Ethics Committee that Gomez sexually assaulted a staffer, per her attorneys. Ethics Committee opened an investigation into allegations of engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with staffer.
7 outlets told this the same way.
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Gomez Accused in Ethics Probe
A woman told the House Ethics Committee that Rep. Jimmy Gomez sexually assaulted her, according to her attorneys, as the bipartisan panel investigates sexual misconduct allegations against the California Democrat.
Gomez acknowledged in a statement Monday that he "made personal mistakes outside my marriage" and that his "actions were consensual in nature," while the House Ethics Committee said it was looking into allegations that he engaged "in inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer."
The attorneys for the unnamed woman pushed back on Gomez’s account, saying they "represent one of the women who was interviewed by the House Committee on Ethics" about her experience of sexual harassment and assault by Gomez.
House Democratic leaders said the allegations were "serious and disturbing" and urged a "thorough and swift investigation," as the committee’s Monday announcement stated that "[n]o other public comment will be made on this matter except in accordance with Committee rules."
Attorneys Deny Consent
In a statement to The Hill, attorneys Lisa Banks and Sarah Nesbitt said their client told the House Ethics Committee that Gomez "sexually harassed and assaulted her," contradicting Gomez’s claim that his actions were "consensual in nature."
The attorneys wrote, "Contrary to Representative Gomez’s assertion in his statement, his actions were not 'consensual in nature' with respect to our client," and said they "fully expect that the House Committee on Ethics will come to the same conclusion in its investigation."
USA TODAY reported that Gomez’s office did not respond to its inquiries, and that the investigation is not proof of wrongdoing, citing Rep. Michael Guest and Rep. Mark DeSaulnier’s joint press release saying the committee’s disclosure "does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred."
CNN reported that the House Ethics Committee declined to comment on the attorneys’ statement, and that Gomez did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the allegations, which CNN said it has not independently corroborated.
Capitol Hill Reckoning
The Gomez probe arrives as House ethics controversies have triggered resignations and suspensions, with the Washington Examiner noting that Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales were forced to resign from the House earlier this year after accusations of rape and inappropriate relationships with staffers.
The Washington Examiner also described a broader ethics wave, including Rep. Cory Mills losing his primary bid for reelection as he faced a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations, and Rep. Chuck Edwards being hit with an Ethics Committee report finding he engaged in "persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers."
USA TODAY said the Ethics Committee announced its investigation into Gomez on Monday, Aug. 17, and that the panel was reviewing whether he "may have engaged in sexual misconduct in violation" of congressional conduct rules, including "engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer."
CBS News reported that House Democratic leaders and the Democratic Women’s Caucus urged the committee to act quickly and release the status of its investigation before a "60-day blackout period ahead of Election Day," while the committee’s Monday announcement said it would make no other public comment except under its rules.