Lawyers representing a woman interviewed by the House Ethics Committee investigating allegations made against Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., refuted his claim that the “personal mistakes” he made were consensual.
In a statement posted on X Wednesday, attorneys Lisa Banks and Sarah Nesbitt said their client claimed in her interview with the committee that Gomez had sexually harassed and assaulted her.
Download the Straight Arrow app today to get the stories that matter free from manipulation, bias or agenda.
Point phone camera here
“Contrary to Representative Gomez’s assertion in his statement, his actions were not ‘consensual in nature’ with respect to our client,” they wrote in the statement. “We fully expect that the House Committee on Ethics will come to the same conclusion in its investigation.”
Attorneys Lisa J. Banks and Sarah E. Nesbitt of Katz Banks Kumin LLP issued the following statement regarding the House Committee on Ethics investigation of Representative Jimmy Gomez announced August 17.
Full statement pic.twitter.com/HeU4JTBdp1
— Katz Banks Kumin LLP (@katzbanks) August 19, 2026
This was the first time allegations of sexual harassment or assault were leveled against the California Democrat in this investigation. On Monday, the Ethics Committee announced it was investigating Gomez over allegations of sexual misconduct.
Gomez released a statement following the committee’s announcement, saying he made “personal mistakes outside my marriage,” but highlighted that his actions were “consensual” and didn’t violate the law or House Ethics rules, Axios reported.
“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 my relationships and move forward with honesty, transparency, and respect,” Gomez said.
What are the allegations against Gomez?
The Ethics Committee is probing sexual misconduct allegations that include “inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer,” according to a press release. The committee did not release any further details about the investigation.
In early June, CNN was first to report that the committee was investigating Gomez over a possible romantic relationship he had in 2023 with an aide who worked for another member of Congress. Gomez, who has been married since 2011, admitted to the extramarital affair but said the woman involved had consented.
He said he’s cooperating with the committee’s investigation and that he was “confident that a full and impartial review of the facts will bear” out that he did not violate any House rule or law.
Currently, representatives are allowed to have consensual romantic relationships with staffers outside their office.
Allegations against other lawmakers
The Ethics Committee has conducted several sexual misconduct investigations this year.
In April, Reps. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, both resigned after facing accusations of misconduct towards staffers. Swalwell has denied the allegations of assault and sexual misconduct made against him. Gonzales admitted to an affair with one of his staffers who later took her own life.
Then earlier this month, the Ethics Committee released its findings that Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., had violated House rules related to sexual harassment and hostile workplaces. They recommended the House vote to censure him. Edwards later dropped his reelection bid.
The attorneys for the woman who made claims against Gomez said in their statement that Gomez’s case was “just the latest example of brazen sexual misconduct by a member of Congress.”
“Congress must act to rein in its members who seem to believe that preying on young women working on Capitol Hill is one of the perks of their job,” they wrote. “We will continue to work with our client and with the House Committee on Ethics to ensure there is accountability for Representative Gomez and a safe path for any other survivors to come forward and share their experiences.”