The House Ethics Committee said on Monday it’s reviewing allegations that Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) “may have engaged in sexual misconduct in violation of the Code of Official Conduct.”

The allegations include “engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer.”

“The Committee notes that the mere fact that it is investigating these allegations, and publicly disclosing its review, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred,” a joint statement from Reps. Michael Guest (R-MS) and Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) read.

“No other public comment will be made on this matter except in accordance with Committee rules,” the statement added.

NBC News shared further:

The married Gomez, who formed a Congressional Dads Caucus back in 2023, said in a statement that he had “made personal mistakes outside my marriage” and would cooperate with the probe.

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“Although my actions were consensual in nature and haven’t violated the law or House Ethics rules, that doesn’t diminish the impact that these mistakes have made on those I care about the most,” the statement said. “I take full responsibility and have committed myself to working through the pain privately with my wife and family.”

He added: “I am deeply sorry to my wife for the pain and embarrassment that I have brought into our lives. Her sacrifices and support are central to my ability to serve, and I can only feel gratitude for her grace and strength.”

Gomez noted that the committee’s statement “does not itself indicate that any violation occurred. I respect the Committee’s process and am confident that a full and impartial review of the facts will bear that out.”

According to the New York Post, Gomez was allegedly spotted kissing a much younger congressional staffer in 2023.

“This behavior of open philandering by married male members of Congress is pervasive and long overdue to be addressed,” one source told the outlet in its prior reporting.

“Regardless [of whether] it is a staff member of their own or another congressman, there is a massive power dynamic that fosters a culture of abuse. You have these married male congressmen openly cheating on their wives with female staffers — how is that not grounds for expulsion?” the source added.

House Democrat Reportedly Close To Eric Swalwell Accused Of Inappropriate Behavior With Congressional Staffer

NPR has more:

The committee's investigation is the latest in a string of inquiries in this Congress involving allegations of sexual misconduct, assault or other impropriety. Earlier this month, Rep. Chuck Edwards said he would end his reelection campaign after the Ethics Committee recommended the North Carolina Republican face a censure vote for allegedly harassing two young female staffers. Edwards denied the allegations.

In April, Democrat Eric Swalwell of California resigned his House seat and ended his gubernatorial bid amid allegations of sexual assault and misconduct that he too denied. Texas Republican Tony Gonzales also resigned from the House after admitting to an affair with a former staff member who later died by suicide.

Republican Representatives Max Miller of Ohio and Cory Mills of Florida also face House Ethics investigations tied to outside domestic violence allegations. Both deny wrongdoing.

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