The House Ethics Committee announced on Wednesday that it is investigating allegations made against Democrat Rep. Katie Hill (CA) that Hill had an inappropriate sexual relationship with one of her congressional staffers.
RedState reported on Friday that Hill had allegedly engaged in a “throuple” sexual relationship with a female campaign staffer and that she later went on to have an affair with one of her congressional staffers.
Ted Deutch (D-FL), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics, released the following statement late on Wednesday:
The Committee is aware of public allegations that Representative Katie Hill may have engaged in a sexual relationship with an individual on her congressional staff, in violation of House Rule XXIII, clause 18(a). The Committee, pursuant to Committee Rule 18(a), has begun an investigation and will gather additional information regarding the allegations.
The Committee notes that the mere fact that it is investigating these allegations, and publicly disclosing its review, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee. No other public comment will be made on this matter except in accordance with Committee rules.
In a statement to Politico on Tuesday, Hill denied that she had engaged in a sexual relationship with her congressional staffer but did not deny that she engaged in a sexual relationship with her young female campaign staffer.
The young female campaign staffer, who has not been identified, allegedly felt abused in the relationship by Hill.
According to text messages obtained by RedState and published on Tuesday, the staffer said that the relationship was “toxic,” and Hill’s husband said that the threesome relationship was “abusive” to the staffer.
The staffer allegedly sent Hill a message expressing that she was afraid of Hill because she saw how Hill allegedly treated her husband poorly.
“I am terrified of pushing back against you or upsetting you,” the message said, according to RedState. “I have seen how you treat Kenny and I think that if I cause any issues, even if I am very worried about how you are acting, that very quickly you will decide you don’t want me in your life.”
The House Code of Official Conduct states:
18. (a) A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not engage in a sexual relationship with any employee of the House who works under the supervision of the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, or who is an employee of a committee on which the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner serves. This paragraph does not apply with respect to any relationship between two people who are married to each other.
(b) A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not engage in unwelcome sexual advances or conduct towards another Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House.
(c) In this clause, the term ‘employee’ includes an applicant for employment, a paid or unpaid intern (including an applicant for an internship), a detailee, and an individual participating in a fellowship program.
“If Congresswoman Hill is engaged in a romantic relationship with one of her paid staffers, that is a clear-cut ethics violation,” a senior congressional staffer told Breitbart News this week. “These rules are in place to ensure Congress is a workplace free from abuse and sexual misconduct. The reports paint a troubling pattern that deserve a full investigation.”
A Congressional GOP source told The Daily Wire: “The mainstream media has a blackout on this story, which is amusing. The press typically loves politicians embroiled in sex scandals. But the perpetrator is a Democrat in a swing district, so the press will pretend like there’s nothing to see here.”