The Senate Ethics Committee has dismissed a complaint against Sen. Ruben Gallego, concluding it found no evidence that his actions violated federal law, Senate rules, or related standards of conduct. The complaint, brought by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, alleged ca
Sen. Ruben Gallego walked out of the Senate chamber on Oct. 1, 2025, with the quiet weight of a fight still hanging over his name.
That fight has now ended in an unusually direct way: the Senate Ethics Committee has dismissed a complaint brought against the Arizona Democrat involving allegations of campaign finance violations and potential sexual misconduct. The complaint was submitted to the committee in April by fellow member of Congress, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla.
In a letter dated June 26 to Gallego, the ethics panel said it had uncovered no wrongdoing. “Based on the investigation of the Committee. the Committee did not find evidence that your actions violated Federal law. Senate rules. or related standards of conduct. ” the panel wrote. The committee also said it appreciated Gallego’s “full cooperation” throughout the investigation.
Gallego welcomed the findings in a statement, calling the dismissal a confirmation of what he has said from the beginning. He described the accusations as “right-wing conspiracies peddled by far-right activists like Anna Paulina Luna. the White House. and their allies.” He also said he was “look[ing] forward to an apology from Rep. Luna for weaponizing the ethics process while refusing to investigate historic corruption that’s making life harder for families.”.
The allegations against Gallego began circulating in April, stirred by whispers of potential misconduct following the resignation of Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif. Swalwell stepped down after a wave of sexual assault and misconduct allegations. He has denied the allegations, and NPR has not independently verified them.
Swalwell and Gallego were close friends. and during Swalwell’s short-lived 2020 presidential campaign. it was Gallego who served as campaign chair. In the immediate aftermath of Swalwell’s resignation, Gallego denied knowledge of any alleged history of sexual misconduct. At the same time. he acknowledged to reporters that his close friendship may have made it harder for him to accept rumors about Swalwell and his behavior toward women.
“I was wrong — I deeply, deeply regret that,” Gallego said, explaining that “My friendship with him, our family’s friendship together with him, clouded my judgment.”
Within days of Swalwell’s resignation, Luna posted a cryptic message on social media that sparked speculation about Gallego. “It’s seems like the Senate has its own trash to take out. @LeaderJohnThune You need to look into the allegations against one of your Senators, it’s very disturbing. My chief will be contacting your chief,” she wrote. The following day, Luna confirmed to CBS News that she was referring specifically to Gallego.
Even after the ethics panel dismissed the complaint, Luna pushed back on Gallego again on Monday. Writing on social media. she said. “These are not conspiracy theories.” She added: “The good news about DC is everyone talks. and eventually the reporters come forward with your texts. ” referring to communications attributed to Gallego.
The decision arrives in a congressional environment still shaped by earlier fallout over sexual misconduct allegations. Swalwell’s resignation earlier this year triggered a fresh reckoning about the behavior of some male members of Congress—roughly a decade after the #MeToo movement reshaped public conversation around sexual assault.
Shortly after Swalwell resigned, so too did Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas. Gonzales had previously admitted to an affair with a former staffer who later died by suicide.
Senate Ethics Committee Ruben Gallego Anna Paulina Luna campaign finance violations sexual misconduct allegations federal law Senate rules ethics investigation Eric Swalwell Tony Gonzales