Investigation into Rep. Jim Costa Concludes
Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) faced scrutiny over claims of inappropriate behavior towards an intern, but the inquiry has since been dropped, according to a report from NOTUS.
Following the news, it’s worth mentioning that this comes on the heels of former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), who resigned amid accusations of rape and sexual misconduct while also stepping away from his campaign for California governor.
A NOTUS article outlined that a complaint was lodged with the House Ethics Authority in early 2023, where the former House Democratic staffer alleged that Costa had made unwelcome advances toward her back in February 2020, when she was interning for another lawmaker. She also recounted witnessing Costa behaving inappropriately with another intern in December 2021.
The investigation, conducted by what was then the Office of Congressional Ethics, typically requires cases to be public unless both the OCC and the Ethics Commission dismiss them, which they did in Costa’s situation.
Interestingly, the woman decided to come forward several years later, noting that she felt more secure in her employment at the time. She reflected on an awkward exchange at a California association event where Costa had invited her to dance, and although she initially declined, they ended up dancing when she tried to leave.
As per the NOTUS report, Costa had expressed a desire to assist her in her career, providing his personal phone number and suggesting dinner meetings. When asked if she perceived his comments as sexual, she affirmed that she did.
A male witness cautioned her about Costa’s phone number afterward, recalling that the situation didn’t feel right. Notably, Costa, who is unmarried, had also asked her about her relationship status, to which she replied she was single.
During the OCE inquiry, the woman speculated on Costa’s motivations for his questions, suggesting that perhaps he was pursuing younger women. This isn’t Costa’s first controversy; he faced trouble in 1986 while serving on the Fresno City Council for soliciting women into prostitution, which he acknowledged at the time.
This situation unfolds amid several ethics investigations into other government officials. Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas) recently confessed to an affair with a former aide who tragically took her own life in 2025, and he announced plans to retire. Furthermore, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) mentioned ongoing reviews by Senate ethics officials regarding allegations of misconduct involving Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.).
Meanwhile, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) has initiated a motion to expel Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) over charges, including sexual misconduct, and the House Ethics Committee is reportedly investigating allegations related to Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-North Carolina).
