The Space Ethics Committee introduced Monday that it’s investigating Democratic Rep. Jimmy Gomez of Los Angeles for alleged sexual misconduct.
The committee stated it’s investigating allegations that Gomez, 51, engaged in “beside the point sexual touch with a Space staffer,” in keeping with a observation launched by way of the committee’s chair, Rep. Michael Visitor (R-Pass over.), and score member Mark DeSaulnier (D-Brotherly love).
The New York Put up reported in April that Gomez, a married five-term congressman, was once noticed in 2023 kissing a far more youthful staffer from any other place of job. CNN reported that the Space Ethics Committee later found out different allegations of sexual misconduct by way of Gomez.
Gomez said in a observation Monday that he made “non-public errors out of doors my marriage,” however stated that his “movements had been consensual in nature and haven’t violated the legislation or Space Ethics regulations.”
Visitor and DeSaulnier stated of their observation that the panel’s public acknowledgment of the investigation “does now not itself point out that any violation has passed off.”
Gomez stated he’s “assured {that a} complete and unbiased assessment of the details will undergo that out” and that he’s “able to cooperate with the Ethics Committee inquiry and supply it with no matter data it would want.”
The committee can take quite a lot of movements if it substantiates the allegations in an investigation, together with recommending {that a} member be reprimanded, censured or got rid of, or referring the behavior to the U.S. Division of Justice for felony investigation.
Gomez represents California’s thirty fourth Congressional District, stretching from Koreatown to Eagle Rock. He faces an election problem in November from Democrat Angela Gonzales-Torres, who has the backing of the revolutionary Justice Democrats.
Gomez gained 46% of the vote within the June number one, whilst Gonzales-Torres were given 30%.
Gonzales-Torres has been specifically important of Gomez on account of his previous improve from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC.
Gonzales-Torres blasted Gomez in a observation to The Occasions after information of the investigation.
“At a time when operating households are suffering essentially the most, we want to get creeps out of place of job,” she stated. “We want representatives who will if truth be told center of attention on preventing for insurance policies like Medicare for All — now not folks like Rep. Jimmy Gomez and Donald Trump, who’re mired in scandal and investigation.”
Gomez was once buddies with former California Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin), who resigned from Congress previous this 12 months and suspended his campaign for California gubernatorial marketing campaign after being accused of sexual attack by way of more than one girls. Gomez have been a co-chair of Swalwell’s marketing campaign.
The 2023 incident reportedly passed off at a birthday party hosted by way of Swalwell.
Gomez is married to Mary Hodge, a onetime most sensible aide to former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. The couple have a son whom Gomez wore in a baby carrier all over the long Space speaker election in 2023. That very same 12 months, Gomez based the Congressional Dads Caucus, which has advocated for expanded kid tax credit and different parent-friendly law.
Gomez apologized to Hodge in his observation.
“I’m deeply sorry to my spouse for the ache and embarrassment that I’ve introduced into our lives,” he stated. “Her sacrifices and improve are central to my skill to serve, and I will best really feel gratitude for her grace and energy.”
