The Senate Ethics Committee has decided to dismiss the complaint lodged by Florida Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna against Arizona Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego. The complaint alleged that Gallego made unwanted sexual advances toward several women and may have violated campaign finance laws, according to information shared by the Arizona Democratic Party.
On Friday, the Ethics Committee informed Gallego that their investigation found “no evidence” of any violations of federal law, Senate rules, or related standards of conduct. All six members of the committee, consisting of three Democrats and three Republicans, were in agreement.
Luna’s complaint, submitted in April, mentioned that at least four women reported experiencing inappropriate advances from Gallego. Specifically, it charged him with both “alleged campaign finance violations and inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature.”
“We have heard about four women who have been subjected to unpleasant and inappropriate advances, comments, and contact from Sen. Gallego on multiple occasions. This is not a fabrication, and the Senate has been woefully silent on this matter,” Luna stated in her April message.
Gallego has firmly denied these allegations and indicated that the Ethics Committee’s findings suggested Luna’s claims lacked credible evidence, characterizing them as part of a “right-wing conspiracy.”
“The Ethics Committee’s rejection reaffirms what I have said all along about these charges: They were a right-wing conspiracy propagated by far-right activists like Anna Paulina Luna, the White House, and its allies,” he wrote. “I look forward to an apology from Congressman Luna for weaponizing the ethics process while ignoring significant corruption that is affecting families.”
The allegations came to light during a time when Gallego’s close friendship with former Congressman Eric Swalwell was under scrutiny. Swalwell left Congress after facing multiple accusations of sexual misconduct. While he has apologized for what he described as an “error in judgment,” he has denied all allegations of assault or harassment.
“My family’s friendship with him clouded my judgment, and I was wrong. I deeply, deeply regret it,” Swalwell said during a Capitol news conference.
Gallego apologized to the victims of Swalwell but told reporters that he never saw Swalwell engage in any predatory behavior or illegal activities.
