House Ethics Committee Investigating CA Rep. Jimmy Gomez for Alleged Sexual Misconduct

The bipartisan House Ethics Committee announced Monday it is reviewing allegations that Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) “may have engaged in sexual misconduct” in violation of the Code of Official Conduct or other applicable standards, specifically including “engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer” (in violation of clause 18(b) of the Code):

Pursuant to Committee Rule 7, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics (Committee) determined to release the following statement:
The Committee, pursuant to Committee Rule 18(a), is reviewing allegations that Representative Jimmy Gomez may have engaged in sexual misconduct in violation of the Code of Official Conduct or any other applicable standard of conduct, including engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer in violation of clause 18(b) of the Code.
The Committee notes that the mere fact that it is investigating these allegations, and publicly disclosing its review, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred. No other public comment will be made on this matter except in accordance with Committee rules.

NEW: The House Ethics Committee announces it is now investigating Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) over allegations of sexual misconduct, "including engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer." pic.twitter.com/wsGwEwRoir

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) August 17, 2026

Reports of an investigation first surfaced in early June: “The House Ethics Committee is investigating Democratic Rep. Jimmy Gomez over allegations of sexual misconduct,” three sources told CNN.

“In reaching out to look into that story, one of the sources told CNN, the panel learned of other allegations of sexual misconduct against Gomez that it is now investigating.

In a lengthy statement for this story, Gomez acknowledged having made mistakes that caused his family pain but said they had not violated the law or any House ethics rules. He said he would ‘cooperate with any Ethics Committee inquiry and provide it with whatever information it might need.’”

Gomez, who has been married to Mary Hodge since 2011, was spotted by witnesses kissing Yardena Wolf, the chief of staff to then-Rep. Eric Swalwell, outside a backyard party at Swalwell’s home near the Capitol, the New York Post reported in June. Reports describe an intimate make-out session against a car; Gomez had an 11-month-old child at home at the time

CNN reported Gomez released a statement:

“Years ago, I made personal mistakes outside my marriage that have caused real pain to my wife and family. Although my actions were consensual in nature and haven’t violated the law or House ethics rules, that doesn’t diminish the impact that these mistakes have made on those I care about the most,” he said.

“I take full responsibility and have committed myself to working through the pain privately with my wife and family. I sought professional assistance to help re-center and heal the relationships that mean everything to me, and move forward with the honesty, transparency, and respect that everyone deserves from the people they love. I continue to do this work.

Gomez admitted to making mistakes “outside of his marriage”, and apologized to his wife in the statement, but denied violating any laws or House ethics rules.

The NY Post had details:

“The married California Democrat had an 11-month-old child at home when he was caught in a moment of passion with Swalwell’s minxy congressional aide Yardena Wolf three years ago.

Gomez, the founder of the Dads Caucus in Congress, confessed Tuesday in a statement that he cheated on his wife after The Post’s reporting on the encounter with Wolf, which kicked off a House Ethics Committee investigation, yielding fresh tips on his conduct.

Wolf, at the time 29, and Gomez, then 48, were spotted having an intimate moment against a car outside a party at Swalwell’s home north of the Capitol in the summer of 2023 — about two years into her tenure as Swalwell’s top staffer.”

and

“She seemed to be a willing participant in the raunchy romance, but tipsters said it was nonetheless troubling, including because Gomez was married with a young son.”

The ethics committee’s official statement from Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss), and Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) notes that the mere fact of the investigation and its public disclosure “does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred,” and that no further public comment will be made except in accordance with committee rules.