House Ethics Panel Opens Sexual Misconduct Probe Into Dem Congressman — Founder of 'Dads Caucus'
Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., is under formal House Ethics Committee investigation over allegations he had inappropriate sexual contact with a congressional staffer — the same lawmaker who founded the Congressional Dads Caucus.
The House Ethics Committee announced Monday it has opened a formal investigation into Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., over allegations that he "may have engaged in sexual misconduct in violation of the Code of Official Conduct," including inappropriate sexual contact with a congressional staffer.
The alleged incident dates back to summer 2023 and reportedly involved Gomez kissing a young aide who worked for a different Democratic member of Congress, not his own office, according to NBC News. The New York Post first reported the allegations this spring, and CNN reported in June that the committee was already quietly probing Gomez before Monday's public announcement made it official.
The committee, chaired by Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., with Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Calif., as ranking member, was careful to note that opening a probe doesn't establish wrongdoing. "The mere fact that it is investigating these allegations... does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred," the panel said in its statement.
A public apology, months before the formal probe
Gomez, who represents parts of Los Angeles and has served in Congress since 2017, addressed the allegations directly when CNN first asked him about them in June. "Years ago, I made personal mistakes outside my marriage that have caused real pain to my wife and family," he said, adding that "my actions were consensual in nature and haven't violated the law or House Ethics rules." He went further: "I am deeply sorry to my wife for the pain and embarrassment that I have brought into our lives."
MY ACTIONS WERE CONSENSUAL IN NATURE AND HAVEN'T VIOLATED THE LAW OR HOUSE ETHICS RULES
The timing has drawn extra attention because Gomez is the founder and chair of the Congressional Dads Caucus, a bipartisan group focused on paid family leave and other parenting-related policy. He is married with one child.
The identity of the alleged victim has not been made public, and Ethics Committee investigations are typically kept confidential until the panel issues final findings — which can take months or longer. Gomez has not announced any change to his reelection plans, and Democratic leadership has not commented publicly on whether he should step down from any committee assignments while the investigation proceeds.