Democratic congressman under investigation by House Ethics Committee over sexual misconduct allegations

Goldlaner.com – The House Ethics Committee announced on Monday that it is investigating Democratic Rep. Jimmy Gomez over allegations of sexual misconduct. The announcement comes after three sources told CNN exclusively in June that the panel was investigating the California congressman, who represents parts of Los Angeles.

The panel said in a statement Monday that the probe includes a review of allegations related to “engaging in inappropriate sexual contact” with a staffer, which is against House ethics rules for lawmakers. CNN has reached out to Gomez’s office for comment. When CNN first reported that the California Democrat was under investigation by the panel, Gomez acknowledged having made mistakes that caused his family pain but said they had not violated the law or any House ethics rules.

He said he would “cooperate with any Ethics Committee inquiry and provide it with whatever information it might need.” “Years ago, I made personal mistakes outside my marriage that have caused real pain to my wife and family. 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,” he said at the time. The statement continued: “I take full responsibility and have committed myself to working through the pain privately with my wife and family.

I sought professional assistance to help re-center and heal the relationships that mean everything to me, and move forward with the honesty, transparency, and respect that everyone deserves from the people they love. I continue to do this work.” The ethics panel said Monday that existence of an investigation and public disclosure of the investigation “does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred.”