House Panel Recommends Censure for Rep. Chuck Edwards Over Conduct Toward 2 Staffers
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 3
House Panel Recommends Censure for Rep. Chuck Edwards Over Conduct Toward 2 Staffers
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 3
Summary
The House Ethics Committee recommended censuring North Carolina Republican Chuck Edwards after finding repeated unprofessional conduct toward two young female staffers that a reasonable observer could view as sexual or romantic advances.
The report cited lavish recurring gifts, comments on the women’s appearance and weight, invitations to intimate dinners and vacations, affectionate notes, and other efforts to spend time alone with them.
One episode detailed Edwards reading a poem for a departing staffer during an office slideshow while crying; staffers said the scene made them uncomfortable, and the committee said Edwards acknowledged sensing that discomfort.
Edwards denied intending sexual or romantic advances and said he was commenting on clothing, but the committee said relevant messages were omitted or seemingly deleted from his phone even as he otherwise cooperated with investigators.