A former staffer for Rep. Jimmy Gomez told the House Ethics Committee that he sexually assaulted and harassed her, her lawyers said Wednesday.
Mr. Gomez, California Democrat, was hit Monday with an Ethics Committee investigation of alleged sexual misconduct, including “engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer.”
One of the women who was interviewed by the ethics panel, whose name has not been revealed, said she suffered “sexual harassment and assault,” according to her lawyers, Lisa J. Banks and Sarah E. Nesbitt.
“Contrary to Representative Gomez’s assertion in his statement, his actions were not ’consensual in nature’ with respect to our client,” they said in a statement. “We fully expect that the House Committee on Ethics will come to the same conclusion in its investigation.”
The Washington Times reached out to Mr. Gomez’s office for comment.
Mr. Gomez acknowledged “personal mistakes outside my marriage” following the announcement of the ethics probe, but he asserted that his actions “were consensual in nature and haven’t violated the law or House Ethics rules.”
He also said he would “cooperate with any Ethics Committee inquiry and provide it with whatever information it might need.”
The panel’s investigation included a potential violation of a rule that stipulates that lawmakers “may not engage in unwelcome sexual advances or conduct towards another Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House.”
Mr. Gomez admitted in June to cheating on his wife.
He was seen at a party in 2023 kissing a House staffer who worked for a different lawmaker. It prompted an Ethics Committee inquiry, which found other sexual misconduct allegations involving Mr. Gomez.
The investigation followed the resignations of Reps. Eric Swalwell, California Democrat, and Tony Gonzales, Texas Republican, in April amid sexual misconduct allegations that triggered broader scrutiny of lawmakers’ behavior.
The Ethics Committee is also investigating alleged misconduct and inappropriate behavior by GOP Reps. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina and Max Miller of Ohio.
Ms. Banks and Ms. Nesbitt said the Gomez case is “just the latest example of brazen sexual misconduct by a member of Congress.”
“Congress must act to rein in its members who seem to believe that preying on young women working on Capitol Hill is one of the perks of their job,” they said. “We will continue to work with our client and with the House Committee on Ethics to ensure there is accountability for Representative Gomez and a safe path for any other survivors to come forward and share their experiences.”
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