The House Ethics Committee has formally launched an investigation into Representative Jimmy Gomez, a California Democrat who has served his Los Angeles County district since 2017. The inquiry, which was announced on Monday, August 17, 2026, aims to determine whether the 51-year-old congressman violated congressional conduct rules. Specifically, the panel is examining allegations that Gomez may have engaged in sexual misconduct, including inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer.
The investigation follows accusations of sexual assault and harassment brought forward by a woman represented by attorneys Lisa J. Banks and Sarah E. Nesbitt. While the committee's public announcement references potential misconduct involving a House staffer, it remains unclear if the woman represented by Banks and Nesbitt is the same individual referenced by the committee, or the specific timeline of the alleged events. The attorneys representing the woman noted that the probe highlights a broad and disturbing pattern of behavior.
In the wake of the committee's announcement, Representative Gomez issued a statement admitting to having made personal mistakes outside of his marriage. However, he firmly denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing that his actions were consensual in nature and asserting that nothing he did violated congressional ethics rules. This characterization was swiftly challenged by the legal team representing the accuser. In a statement, attorneys Banks and Nesbitt wrote, "Contrary to Representative Gomez’s assertion in his statement, his actions were not ‘consensual in nature’ with respect to our client." The office of Representative Gomez did not provide a response to inquiries regarding these specific allegations.
To provide context on the investigation, the committee's leadership—Republican Chairman Michael Guest and the panel's top Democrat, Mark DeSaulnier—issued a joint press release. The pair emphasized that the initiation of an investigation and its public disclosure do not constitute proof of any wrongdoing. "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," they stated.
The scrutiny surrounding Representative Gomez is part of a wider, ongoing reckoning on Capitol Hill that has persisted for months, resulting in numerous ethics investigations, campaign suspensions, and high-profile resignations across both political parties. Earlier this year, California Democrat Eric Swalwell stepped down from his seat while facing an ethics probe and potential expulsion following sexual assault allegations, which he denied. Shortly thereafter, Texas Republican Tony Gonzales resigned after admitting to an extramarital affair with a staffer who died by self-immolation. Florida Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick also resigned following a criminal indictment alleging the theft of $5 million in federal disaster relief, though she characterized the committee's scrutiny as a "witch hunt."
Prior to the allegations against Gomez, recent ethics scandals in Washington had largely focused on House Republicans. In early August 2026, the House Ethics Committee released a report concerning North Carolina Republican Chuck Edwards, concluding that his conduct toward two female staffers placed them in an untenable position. The committee determined that a reasonable observer would view his behavior as sexual or romantic in nature. Although Edwards claimed his actions were aboveboard, he ended his reelection bid that same week. Additionally, Ohio Republican Representative Max Miller has encouraged the Ethics Committee to review domestic abuse allegations brought against him by his ex-wife, the daughter of Senator Bernie Moreno, in an effort to clear his name.
In response to the mounting pressure, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries established a bipartisan task force in May to address sexual harassment and misconduct within the legislative branch. The task force is led by Representatives Kat Cammack and Teresa Leger Fernández. "No woman – regardless of party, title, or position – should ever feel unsafe in her workplace. Period," Cammack stated at the time.
Several days later, two lawyers issued a statement disputing that assertion.
Contributing: James Powel, Thao Nguyen, Amethyst Martinez and Terry Collins
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