Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Rep. Jimmy Gomez

Attorneys representing an unnamed woman have informed the House Ethics Committee that Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) engaged in sexual harassment and assault, disputing the California Democrat’s assertion that his conduct was “consensual in nature.”

In statements issued on Wednesday by lawyers Lisa J. Banks and Sarah E. Nesbitt, the situation has intensified the committee’s ongoing investigation. Gomez was announced on Monday as being under scrutiny for potential “inappropriate sexual contact with a House employee.”

The legal representatives mentioned that their client was present during the committee meeting and strongly challenged Gomez’s interpretation of his behavior.

“We represent one of the women who shared her experiences of sexual harassment and assault by Congressman Jimmy Gomez during her questioning by the House Ethics Committee,” Banks and Nesbitt stated. “In contrast to Congressman Gomez’s claims, the actions he took were not ‘consensual in nature’ concerning our client. We are confident the House Ethics Committee will arrive at a similar conclusion following their investigation.”

Gomez admitted on Monday to making “personal mistakes outside of my marriage,” while asserting that his actions did not breach the law or House rules.

“Although my actions were consensual in nature and did not violate the law or the House Code of Ethics, it doesn’t lessen the impact on those I care about,” he noted, adding that he is seeking professional assistance and aims to cooperate with the committee.

It remains unclear from Gomez’s remarks whether he was referencing the same woman represented by Banks and Nesbitt, who both work at the Katz Banks Cumin law firm.

The attorneys also indicated that this incident is part of a wider pattern of behavior within Congress.

“This is just the latest instance of blatant sexual misconduct by congressional members,” they asserted. “Congress needs to take decisive action to hold accountable those who believe that preying on young women in Capitol Hill is part of their jobs.”

The committee clarified on Monday that the presence of an investigation does not imply that a violation has taken place.

This investigation comes in the wake of several legislative irregularities in 2026. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas) both resigned from their positions in April following various allegations, and Gomez had previously co-chaired Swalwell’s brief campaign for governor of California. The committee initiated the Swalwell investigation under the same regulations that currently influence the Gomez inquiry.