Edwards Responds to Ethics Committee Findings

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Chuck Edwards sent a letter rebuking the House Ethics Committee's findings that he engaged in sexual harassment and outlining his concerns with the Committee's investigation and conclusions.

In the letter, Edwards directly challenged the Committee's findings and provided his colleagues with his account of the allegations and the context surrounding the evidence and investigation.

The Committee concluded that Representative Edwards did not violate federal sexual harassment law; concluded he engaged in no sexual activity with nor propositioned any staff member; and concluded that the allegations in the matter do not implicate quid pro quo sexual harassment. Yet the Committee used third-party testimony, omitted evidence, and made inferences that his conduct "could" be perceived as something the evidence itself failed to establish.

"Sexual harassment is a serious offense. One that deserves to be defined clearly, investigated fairly, and established by evidence-not inference or speculation. I unequivocally reject the Ethics Committee's findings and its conclusion that I engaged in sexual harassment," said Congressman Edwards. "Those conclusions do not accurately reflect the facts or the full context surrounding these allegations. I sent this letter because every Member of Congress deserved to hear directly from me and have the opportunity to review the facts for themselves."

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