Attorneys for the North Carolina Republican, who has denied wrongdoing, accused the Ethics Committee of reaching a rushed judgment and called its recommendation “extraordinarily harsh.”
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The House Ethics Committee recommended that the chamber censure Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-North Carolina) for what it characterized in a report released Monday as “persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct” toward two young female staffers.
Edwards has denied any misconduct. His attorneys accused the committee of reaching an “expeditious and unfounded resolution,” and called the recommended censure “extraordinarily harsh.”
“Representative Edwards emphasizes that he has endeavored to comply with all applicable laws regarding his conduct during his time as a Member of Congress and before,” his attorneys wrote in a statement released by the committee. “Once more, he states his sincere regret if his conduct caused any staff member discomfort or was unwelcome.”
The Ethics Committee — which is made up of an equal number of Democrats and Republicans — publicly confirmed in May that it had opened an investigation into Edwards after receiving allegations that he “may have created or fostered a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment.”
The committee said it found no evidence that Edwards engaged in sexual activity with or explicitly propositioned any of his staffers. However, he was aware “that his excessive attention toward the young women had led to rumors and innuendo in the office,” the report said.
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The committee found that while Edwards believed that none of his conduct was intended as a sexual or romantic advance, his behavior patterns “would lead a reasonable observer to interpret it as such.”
According to the report, Edwards provided the two staffers “with lavish and recurrent gifts,” made “comments regarding their appearance and dress,” invited them “to intimate dinners and vacations” and sent notes “regarding his effusive affection.”
The women, the panel found, were “uncomfortable” with his behavior and attempted to communicate that to him but were “put in an untenable position by virtue of his status as their boss.”
Edwards is facing a reelection challenge by Democrat Jamie Ager, a farmer from the mountainous swing district that Democrats see as a pickup opportunity as they seek to win back the House majority.
Censure is one of three ways the House can choose to discipline a member, the other two being a reprimand and an expulsion. If the House adopts the committee’s recommendation to censure Edwards, it also could vote to remove him from his committee assignments. He would still be able to vote on the floor. Republicans hold a razor-thin majority in the chamber.
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