The Senate Ethics Committee has dismissed a complaint brought against Sen.Ruben Gallego involving allegations of campaign finance violations and potential sexual misconduct.
The allegations against the Arizona Democrat were brought to the committee in April by a fellow member of Congress, Rep.Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla.
But in a letter to Gallego dated June 26, the committee said it had uncovered no wrongdoing."Based on the investigation of the Committee, the Committee did not find evidence that your actions violated Federal law, Senate rules, or related standards of conduct," the panel wrote.
The panel also said it appreciated Gallego's "full cooperation" throughout the investigation.Gallego welcomed the findings, saying in a statement that the dismissal "reaffirms what I have said about these accusations from the beginning: they were right-wing conspiracies peddled by far-right activists like Anna Paulina Luna, the White House, and their allies." "I look forward to an apology from Rep.
Luna for weaponizing the ethics process while refusing to investigate historic corruption that's making life harder for families," he continued.Whispers about potential misconduct by Gallego began to circulate in April following the resignation of Rep.
Eric Swalwell, D-Calif.Swalwell stepped down in response to a swell of sexual assault and misconduct allegations.
NPR has not independently verified the allegations against Swalwell, but he has adamantly denied them.Swalwell and Gallego were close friends, and during Swalwell's short-lived 2020 presidential campaign, it was Gallego who served as campaign chair.In the immediate aftermath of Swalwell's resignation, Gallego denied knowledge of any alleged history of sexual misconduct, though he acknowledged to reporters that their close friendship may have made it difficult for him to accept rumors about Swalwell and his behavior toward women.
"My friendship with him, our family's friendship together with him, clouded my judgment, a...