Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles, appeared Tuesday to be the latest member of Congress facing sexual misconduct allegations possibly prompting an investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
Gomez, who is currently running for re-election, represents LA neighborhoods that include Boyle Heights, Chinatown, City Terrace, Cypress Park, downtown Los Angeles, Eagle Rock, El Sereno, Glassell Park, Highland Park, Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Lincoln Heights, Pico Union, and Westlake.
Citing three unnamed sources, CNN reported that Gomez is being investigated by the committee, although the panel has not commented or confirmed the report.
CNN reported that the committee initially began looking into a New York Post story that Gomez had been spotted kissing an aide who worked for another member of Congress at a party in 2023, and during that inquiry, it learned of other misconduct allegations.
Gomez issued a lengthy statement to CNN denying that he violated any laws or ethics rules, but vowing to cooperate with an investigation. He admitted, however, that “years ago” he made “personal mistakes outside my marriage that have caused real pain to my wife and family.”
“Although my actions were consensual in nature and haven’t violated the law or House ethics rules, that doesn’t diminish the impact that these mistakes have made on those I care about the most,” he said.
“I take full responsibility and have committed myself to working through the pain privately with my wife and family. I sought professional assistance to help re-center and heal the relationships that mean everything to me, and move forward with the honesty, transparency, and respect that everyone deserves from the people they love. I continue to do this work.”
Angela Gonzales-Torres, a fellow Democrat who was among five candidates challenging Gomez in Tuesday’s primary, wrote on the social platform X, “If @RepJimmyGomez has nothing to hide, he should have no concern. But if there was any criminal behavior that he witnessed, participated in, or helped conceal, we will find out and we will help ensure accountability and justice.”
Democratic Northern California Rep. Eric Swalwell recently resigned his seat and scrubbed his campaign for California governor in response to sexual misconduct allegations against him. Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas also surrendered his congressional seat after admitting to an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.
Gomez has represented the 34th Congressional District since 2017. He previously served in the state Assembly.