Congressional watchdog outlines decade-long record of misconduct inquiries while allegations against a California lawmaker trigger resignation and DOJ scrutiny.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The House Ethics Committee on Monday released a historical chart documenting 20 investigations into alleged sexual misconduct by members of Congress over the past ten years, detailing an enforcement posture the panel described as increasingly assertive.
Historical Chart of Sexual Misconduct Matters by yourNEWS Media
According to the committee, since 2017 it has expanded its approach to include not only direct allegations against lawmakers but also cases involving how members handled misconduct accusations within their offices. The panel stated that it has pursued inquiries whenever conduct may have violated the House Code of Official Conduct, even in instances where actions did not meet the legal threshold for criminal charges.
“Over the last decade, the Committee has adopted a more aggressive and robust approach to allegations of sexual misconduct,” the committee said, noting that it has examined 20 matters involving members as well as additional cases tied to senior staff oversight.
The release coincides with the resignation of former California Representative Eric Swalwell, who stepped down from Congress and ended his campaign for governor following multiple accusations of sexual assault. At least five women have alleged misconduct.
One accuser, Lonna Drews, described an encounter in 2018 at a West Hollywood hotel, stating, “He raped me, and he choked me. And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness. And I thought I died. I did not consent to any sexual activity.”
Federal authorities have opened an investigation into the allegations, with the Justice Department reviewing the claims as part of an ongoing inquiry.
In its statement, the Ethics Committee emphasized that its standards extend beyond statutory definitions, asserting that behavior falling short of criminal classification can still constitute a violation of congressional rules governing member conduct.
“The Committee has taken the position that conduct that falls short of legal definitions of sexual harassment or assault under federal or state statutes can still be a violation of the Code of Official Conduct,” the panel said.
Separately, Tony Gonzales, a Republican lawmaker, also resigned in recent days following revelations of an extramarital relationship with a staff member. The staffer later died by suicide.
The committee’s disclosure provides a rare cumulative accounting of misconduct-related inquiries in Congress, as scrutiny intensifies over both personal behavior and workplace accountability among elected officials.
Original article
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