L.A. Rep. Jimmy Gomez reportedly faces House investigation over sexual misconduct allegations
WASHINGTON— Los Angeles Democratic Rep. Jimmy Gomez is reportedly under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over sexual harassment allegations.
The investigation came after the incident The New York Post reported In April, it was reported that the 51-year-old five-term congressman was seen kissing a much younger congressional staffer from a different office in 2023.
on Tuesday, according to CNN. The first news about the investigation cameThe congressional committee also learned of other sexual harassment allegations while investigating the report about Gomez’s behavior with staff in 2023.
Gomez was friends with former California Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned from Congress and suspended his California gubernatorial campaign earlier this year after multiple women accused him of sexual assault. Gomez was a co-chairman of Swalwell’s campaign.
The incident with Gomez and a young employee in 2023 reportedly occurred at a party hosted by Swalwell, according to the New York Post. Gomez’s office denied the report at the time.
Another lawmaker, Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales, also resigned from Congress in April following allegations of sexual misconduct with a former staffer who later committed suicide.
Both Swalwell and Gonzales were under investigation by the ethics committee before they resigned, but those investigations ended after they left office because the committee only has authority to investigate current members.
Gomez’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment, but in a statement to CNN, Gomez said he would cooperate with the ethics investigation. Although he acknowledged making “personal mistakes” outside his marriage and apologized to his family, he said his actions did not violate the House ethics rules.
“Years ago, I made personal mistakes outside of my marriage that caused real pain to my wife and family. Although my actions were consensual in nature and did not violate the law or the House ethics rules, that does not diminish the impact those mistakes had on those I cared about most,” Gomez said.
The House Ethics Committee declined to comment on the reported investigation.
Gomez is married to Mary Hodge, a former top aide to former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. The couple has a son, whom Gomez wore in a baby carrier during her long run for House speaker in 2023. That same year, Gomez founded the Congressional Fathers Caucus, which advocated for expanded child tax credits and other parent-friendly legislation.
The announcement of the congressional investigation comes as Gomez faces a campaign challenge from Pasadena City College counselor Angela Gonzales-Torres, with support from progressive Justice Democrats.
Gonzales-Torres criticized Gomez for having the support of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), although Gomez has at times taken political stances that conflict with the group.
After news of the ethics investigation broke, Gonzales-Torres wrote on social media platform
“If @RepJimmyGomez has nothing to hide, he doesn’t have to worry. But if there is any criminal behavior he witnessed, participated in, or helped conceal, we will find out and help ensure accountability and justice.”
Gomez was first elected to Congress in a 2017 special election to replace Xavier Becerra, who is currently running for governor and had the most support after Swalwell left the race in April.
Gomez previously served in the state Legislature from 2012 to 2017 and was the political director of the United Nurses Assn. before that it was in California.
