Ethics panel investigating Rep. Hastings over relationship with staffer

The House Ethics Committee revealed on Thursday that it is investigating Rep. Alcee HastingsAlcee (Judge) Lamar HastingsThe 13 House Democrats who back Kavanaugh’s impeachment GOP lawmaker: ‘Dangerous’ abuse of Interpol by Russia, China, Venezuela Harris hops past Biden in early race for Black Caucus support MORE (D-Fla.) over whether his relationship with a member of his staff breaks House rules.

Hastings has admitted to being in a relationship with his aide, Patricia Williams, who serves as his deputy district director.

The committee is now investigating whether Hastings violated House rules with that relationship and if he received any improper gifts from that employee.

The House last year adopted a rule preventing members of Congress from having a sexual relationship with a member of their staff. 

“The Committee is aware of public allegations arising out of Representative Alcee Hastings’ personal relationship with an individual employed in his congressional office,” House Ethics Committee Chairman Ted DeutchTheodore (Ted) Eliot DeutchOvernight Defense: Protests at Trump’s NYC Veterans Day speech | House Dems release Pentagon official’s deposition transcript | Lawmakers ask Trump to rescind Erdogan invite Bipartisan House members call on Trump to rescind Erdoğan invitation Bipartisan Senate climate caucus grows by six members MORE (D-Fla.) and the panel’s ranking Republican, Rep. Kenny MarchantKenny Ewell MarchantGOP Rep. Gaetz calls for ethics investigation into Schiff Walden retirement adds to GOP election woes Overnight Energy: Automakers group sides with Trump in emissions lawsuit | Latest on California wildfires | Walden won’t seek reelection | Park Service scraps plan to charge protesters for security MORE (Texas), said in a joint statement, without identifying the staffer.

The statement said that the committee had begun an investigation on May 14, but did not reveal it publicly until Thursday.

Hastings has dismissed ethical concerns about his relationship, telling the Palm Beach Post “it’s been looking like that for 25 years” according to a story published last month.

Williams previously served as counsel to Hastings when he was accused of accepting bribes as a federal judge in the 1980s. Hastings was later impeached.

Hastings’s office didn’t immediately return a request for comment.

 

Hastings is the third lawmaker this year to be accused of running afoul of the House rule barring sexual relationships with c ongressional aides or with staffers on the committees they serve on.

 

That rule was adopted last year after the #MeToo movement.

 

 

The House Ethics Committee has also announced that it is investigating whether Guam’s delegate in Congress, Michael San Nicolas, engaged in a sexual relationship with his staffer and whether he improperly used campaign funds for personal use.

 

Hastings has drawn the scrutiny of the Ethics Committee before. 

 

A congressional staffer who worked for the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe filed a complaint against Hastings, who served as the commission’s chairman, alleging that he made unwanted sexual advances.

The House Ethics Committee reviewed the matter, but ultimately cleared Hastings in 2014 after finding insufficient evidence. However, the committee did find that Hastings admitted to making lewd comments in front of the complainant that showed “poor judgment.” 

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