Lawyers for a woman in the House Ethics investigation into Rep. Jimmy Gomez dispute his 'consensual' account, accusing the California Democrat of sexual harassment and assault.
The House Ethics Committee investigation into Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) took a sharp turn Wednesday when lawyers for a woman who spoke with investigators disputed the congressman's claim that his relationship with a congressional aide was consensual. The attorneys said their client experienced sexual harassment and assault and called Gomez's account a brazen example of misconduct. The accusation is the latest blow for the California Democrat, who acknowledged this week that he made personal mistakes outside his marriage while insisting he broke no laws or House rules.
In a statement obtained by Fox News Digital, the woman's legal team directly contradicted Gomez's version of events. "We represent one of the women who was interviewed by the House Committee on Ethics about her experience of sexual harassment and assault by Representative Jimmy Gomez. Contrary to Representative Gomez's assertion in his statement, his actions were not 'consensual in nature' with respect to our client," the lawyers said.
They added that they fully expect the House Committee on Ethics to reach the same conclusion in its investigation. The attorneys described the episode as "the latest example of brazen sexual misconduct by a member of Congress."
Gomez admitted earlier this week to making mistakes outside his marriage after the House's internal watchdog announced it was investigating him. "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 Monday.
He said he takes full responsibility and has committed himself to working through the pain privately with his wife and family, adding that he sought professional assistance to re-center and heal his relationships. The congressman has not responded publicly to the new assault accusation from the woman's lawyers.
The bipartisan Ethics Committee announced Monday that it is reviewing allegations that Gomez may have engaged in sexual misconduct in violation of the House Code of Official Conduct, including inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer. The committee noted that the mere fact of an inquiry does not indicate that any wrongdoing has been found.
The New York Post reported earlier this year that Gomez was seen kissing a much younger congressional aide in the summer of 2023 at a gathering in the backyard of then-Rep. Eric Swalwell's Washington residence. CNN later reported that while examining that allegation, the committee learned of additional sexual misconduct claims against the congressman. Gomez, 51, represents parts of Los Angeles and has served in the House since 2017.
The Ethics Committee's review will continue, and the accuser's lawyers are now pressing for a formal finding against Gomez. The panel has not announced a timeline for its decision, though the committee can issue sanctions ranging from a reprimand to recommending expulsion in the most serious cases.
The accusation adds to a stretch of misconduct scandals involving California Democrats in Washington, and it hands Republicans fresh ammunition as they press for accountability in the House. For now, Gomez remains in office, and his lawyers have not commented on the new allegations. The coming weeks will determine whether the committee backs the accuser's account or accepts Gomez's insistence that the encounters were consensual.
Lawyers for a woman in the House Ethics investigation into Rep. Jimmy Gomez dispute his 'consensual' account, accusing the California Democrat of sexual harassment and assault.
freedomlinedispatch.com
