The House Ethics Committee announced Thursday it is looking into sexual harassment allegations against North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards, a Republican.
Committee Chairman Michael Guest, Mississippi Republican, and ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier, California Democrat, said the panel is reviewing allegations that Mr. Edwards may have created or fostered a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment in violation of the Code of Official Conduct.
The ten-member committee of five Republicans and five Democrats said the mere fact that it is investigating these allegations, and publicly disclosing its review, does not indicate that any violation has occurred.
Mr. Edwards, 65, has refuted the allegations. The Washington Times reached out to his office for comment.
Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, told reporters Wednesday the allegations against Mr. Edwards are “serious” and that he has spoken to him.
“I spoke with him very briefly. The allegations are certainly concerning. He says that they are all untrue…and I will say I am consistent. Whether it’s a Republican or a Democrat, a friend or foe, we have to allow the process to play out,” Mr. Johnson said.
Axios reported that Mr. Edwards, a two-term congressman married since 1980, had remarkably personal interactions with two young female staffers that a handful of sources said crossed professional boundaries and created an uncomfortable work environment.
The allegations included taking the staffers out on vacations and one-on-one dinners with him, as well as pressuring a staffer to take shots of liquor when they went out together.
