Making us – ahem – *Proud* : Ethics probes hit NC’s DC delegation bipartisanly
(Believe it or not: This report does not even touch on Tim Moore. )
It’s rare that members of our US House delegation. make national news. We’re usually stocked with boring folks who don’t do much but jump when leadership says jump.
This time, things are different. Democrat Alma Adams – whose counting troubles and hatred of cops were first exposed here on this site – was probed by the House Ethics Committee for an alleged ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a female staffer.
Over on the Republican side, we have congressman (and Thom Tillis protégè) Chuck Edwards also getting probed by that bunch for an ‘inappropriate relationship’. (Ironically, Edwards made it to DC by battering incumbent GOPer and primary opponent Madison Cawthorn over alleged ‘inappropriate behavior.’) :
A congressional ethics inquiry is examining allegations involving a North Carolina lawmaker and a former staff member, adding to a series of recent investigations and resignations tied to misconduct claims on Capitol Hill.
A May 1 NOTUS report says Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee due to allegations of sexual misconduct involving a former aide. Three sources told the outlet the panel is examining claims that Edwards had an affair with a staffer who left his office earlier this year. The report further describes the alleged relationship as a long-term involvement with his former deputy chief of staff, who was first hired as a legislative assistant during his time as a state senator in 2021.
NOTUS indicates that multiple sources said the relationship was not discreet and became widely known among staff and members of the North Carolina delegation. It further noted that the alleged relationship created internal tensions and contributed to staff departures from Edwards’ Washington office. House rules prohibit members from engaging in romantic relationships with their staff.
A source cited by NOTUS said a complaint alleging sexual misconduct was filed with the Ethics Committee. Axios first reported the investigation, and CNN reported the panel is examining sexual harassment allegations.
Edwards responded to the allegations and the ethics investigation in a statement saying, “I welcome any investigation, given the professionalism my staff has demonstrated and my commitment to serving the people of Western NC.” He added that “given the current political environment we are facing in our nation, it comes as no surprise that others with their own political agendas will attempt to raise false accusations in order to create news stories.”
[…]
Edwards will face Democrat Jamie Ager in November. Ager is the grandson of a former Democrat congressman who represented the district back in the 1980s. His father and brother have served in the North Carolina House.
National Democrats have been viewing the 11th as a potential upset pickup for some time.
