Staff affair at heart of probe into married House Republican: report
New details have emerged about the ethics investigation into Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC).
According to NOTUS, "Three sources [confirmed] the House Ethics Committee is investigating allegations that Edwards had an affair with ... his former deputy chief of staff, who was initially hired as a legislative assistant in 2021. Multiple sources told NOTUS that Edwards and the former deputy chief were not discreet, and the relationship became common knowledge among office staff and members of the North Carolina delegation."
Edwards has been married for 46 years.
"House members are prohibited from engaging in romantic relationships with their staff, according to the chamber’s code of conduct. The alleged relationship resulted in friction among aides and led to staff departures from Edwards’ Washington, D.C., office, sources said," the report continued.
Additionally, at least one person has "filed a complaint with the House Ethics Committee alleging sexual misconduct by Edwards" — a detail about the investigation that came to light earlier this week.
This follows a number of other sexual misconduct scandals that have led to members of Congress from both parties being drummed out of office, including Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX).