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Can even. 14, 2026, 9:Forty eight PM EDT

The Home Ethics Committee presented Thursday that it’s investigating whether or no longer Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards engaged in sexual misconduct or helped originate a adverse office atmosphere.

The bipartisan committee acknowledged in a assertion that it’s reviewing allegations that Edwards, 65, “also can hang created or fostered a adverse work atmosphere and engaged in sexual harassment in violation of the Code of Reliable Habits or every other applicable current of conduct.”

The committee neatly-known that opening and publicly acknowledging the investigation “doesn’t itself trace that any violation has occurred,” and acknowledged that no extra comments would be made, aside from as allowed below committee principles.

The investigation comes weeks after Axios first reported on April 30 that the Home Ethics Committee used to be investigating Edwards, though the outlet did now not within the muse provide most significant points about the allegations. CNN later reported that the investigation entails allegations of sexual harassment. NOTUS also reporterd that Edwards allegedly maintained a lengthy-term affair with a dilapidated aide who’s claimed to hang left the place of work earlier this 365 days.

Days later, Axios reported that it reviewed a handwritten letter Edwards gave to a departing female aide that expressed surprisingly interior most and emotional language. Axios also cited sources who enlighten that Edwards gave the aide interior most gifts, in conjunction with jewelry, and later spent time along with her after she left his place of work, in conjunction with a time out to Las Vegas.

Home principles prohibit contributors of Congress from having sexual relationships with staffers below their supervision.

Edwards has represented North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District since 2023 and is currently on the lookout for re-election. He has been married since 1980.

He acknowledged in a assertion that he plans to conform with the investigation and “is confident the investigation will uncover the details, no longer politically motivated fiction.”

Throughout an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Edwards denied any wrongdoing.

“I reflect you’re going to salvage that once Ethics completes their investigation that the details will hang caught up with the entire gossip and the rumor,” he acknowledged.

Scrutiny over office conduct on Capitol Hill has intensified in most modern months following the resignations of three lawmakers coping with ethics investigations.

Democrat Eric Swalwell of California resigned from the Home in April after coping with just a few allegations of sexual misconduct, in conjunction with claims from plenty of females, though he denied wrongdoing. Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, also resigned from the Home the identical week, after admitting to an affair with a employees member — conduct that triggered a Home Ethics probe and capability expulsion proceedings. Days later, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick stepped down just appropriate earlier than an expected expulsion vote following findings by the Home Ethics Committee that she dedicated a variety of violations tied to the misuse of federal funds.

Circumstances difficult alleged misconduct by lawmakers hang also elevated stress on congressional management to answer rapid and transparently. 

In April, the ethics panel entreated employees and contributors to come forward with more stories of office misconduct, emphasizing that stronger enforcement depends on better transparency and accountability.

Ebony Davis is a breaking knowledge reporter for MS NOW based in Washington, D.C. She beforehand worked at CNN as a campaign reporter protecting elections and politics.