U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) has admitted to having engaged in an extramarital affair after a congressional investigation was launched into his conduct.
The New York Post first reported the allegations on April 18. According to the report, sources described Gomez, then 51 and married, being seen kissing a much younger congressional aide who worked for a different House Democrat. The incident reportedly occurred outside a backyard party hosted by then-Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) in the summer of 2023 to mark the start of the August congressional recess.
Attendees at the event did not recall seeing Gomez’s wife or young son present, while another source told The Post that the aide was not a member of Gomez’s staff.
Swalwell resigned from the House back in April after a number of women — including former aides — accused him of sexual misconduct and sexual assault.
At the time of the Post’s initial reporting, a spokesperson for Gomez stated that the accounts were “not true” and that the makeout session “didn’t happen.”
The report led the House Ethics Committee to begin reviewing the matter. According to sources cited by CNN, the committee’s initial outreach regarding the 2023 incident uncovered additional allegations of sexual misconduct involving Gomez.
The bipartisan panel opened a formal investigation, which remains in its early stages. The committee has not publicly commented on the inquiry as of this report.
News – The House Ethics Committee is investigating Rep. 🔵 Jimmy Gomez over allegations of sexual misconduct pic.twitter.com/R3msdoR07i
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Not long after the investigation was opened, Gomez admitted to the affair in a statement to CNN. “Years ago, I 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,” the congressman continued.
“I sincerely apologize to my wife, family, friends and the people that I have the privilege to serve. My wife and I will work through our family matters privately, but I am deeply sorry for the pain and embarrassment that I brought into our lives. Her sacrifices and support are central to my ability to serve, and I can only feel gratitude for her grace and strength.”
Gomez also indicated he would “cooperate with any Ethics Committee inquiry and provide it with whatever information it might need.”
Gomez, who has represented California’s 34th Congressional District since 2017, serves a diverse area covering parts of Northeast Los Angeles. The congressman has given no indication that he intends to resign as of this report.
