WASHINGTON—The House Ethics Committee has recommended Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C. be censured for "persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct" toward two young female staffers. The bipartisan committee published its 20-page report Monday, detailing its months-long investigation.
The report concluded Edwards violated the Code of Official Conduct and created a hostile work environment for the staffers. Edwards took office in 2023.
The panel did not find evidence that Edwards propositioned his staffers or engaged in sexual activity with them. Edwards told the committee he believed avoiding physical touch and explicit sexual comments, along with telling staffers they could set boundaries, would prevent harassment charges.
Edwards' lawyers issued a rebuttal to the report, arguing the panel failed to demonstrate that the staffers expressed discomfort to Edwards directly. His legal team also said Edwards was denied the opportunity to challenge factual allegations under House rules.
Edwards' lawyers said the congressman "sincerely regrets that his behavior created discomfort" for the two staffers. His office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The investigation detailed Edwards' interactions with the two women, including gifts totaling over $1,000 in jewelry, designer purses, guns, shoes, flowers, a laptop, a cell phone and a KitchenAid mixer. He also offered them vacations and one-on-one dinners.
The report found Edwards made comments about the staffers' appearances, sent them notes expressing what the report called his "effusive affection" and invited them to intimate dinners and vacations.
Both women attempted to communicate their discomfort with their boss's behavior. Ultimately, a senior staffer spoke to Edwards on their behalf. That senior staffer testified that Edwards, who is 65, said she "didn't understand the unique relationship" he had with the women.
Edwards cooperated with the investigation, which included 16 witness interviews and a review of over 1,500 pages of evidence.
The committee voted to issue its report on July 22. The House is currently on recess, meaning a vote on the censure resolution would not occur until at least September.
Censure is the strongest punishment the Ethics Committee can recommend short of expulsion from Congress. It involves a public rebuke of the targeted member on the House floor. The committee plans to bring a privileged resolution for the censure to a vote once the House reconvenes.
