The House Ethics Committee announced Thursday that they are investigating whether Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards engaged in sexual misconduct or helped create a hostile workplace environment.
The bipartisan committee said in a statement that it is reviewing allegations that Edwards, 65, “may have created or fostered a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment in violation of the Code of Official Conduct or any other applicable standard of conduct.”
The committee noted that opening and publicly acknowledging the investigation “does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred,” and said no further comments would be made, except as allowed under committee rules.
The investigation comes weeks after Axios first reported on April 30 that the House Ethics Committee was investigating Edwards, though the outlet did not initially provide details about the allegations. CNN later reported the investigation involves allegations of sexual harassment. NOTUS also reporterd Edwards allegedly maintained a long-term affair with a former aide who is said to have left the office earlier this year.
Days later, Axios reported that they reviewed a handwritten letter Edwards gave to a departing female aide that expressed unusually personal and emotional language. Axios also cited sources who allege Edwards gave the aide personal gifts, including jewelry, and later spent time with her after she left his office, including a trip to Las Vegas.
House rules prohibit members of Congress from having sexual relationships with staffers under their supervision.
Edwards has represented North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District since 2023 and is currently seeking reelection. He has been married since 1980.
He said in a statement that he plans to comply with the investigation and “is confident the investigation will expose the facts, not politically motivated fiction.”
During an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Edwards denied any wrongdoing.
“I think you’re gonna find that when Ethics completes their investigation that the facts will have caught up with all the gossip and the rumor,” he said.
Scrutiny over workplace conduct on Capitol Hill has intensified in recent months following the resignations of three lawmakers facing ethics investigations.
Democrat Eric Swalwell of California resigned from the House in April after facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, including claims from several women, though he denied wrongdoing. Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, also resigned from the House the same week after admitting to an affair with a staff member — conduct that prompted a House Ethics probe and potential expulsion proceedings. Days later, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick stepped down just before an expected expulsion vote following findings by the House Ethics Committee that she committed numerous violations tied to the misuse of federal funds.
Cases involving alleged misconduct by lawmakers have also increased pressure on congressional leadership to respond swiftly and transparently.
In April, the ethics panel urged staff and members to come forward with more reports of workplace misconduct, emphasizing that stronger enforcement depends on greater transparency and accountability.
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