Sexual Misconduct Allegations Force GOP And Dem Member Resignations From Congress

WASHINGTON, DC -Two members of the US House of Representatives facing possible expulsion over sexual misconduct allegations have announced their resignations.

Democrat Eric Swalwell, who was also running for governor of California, posted on April 13 that he was resigning from Congress. In the same statement, he denied the allegations but said he was sorry for “mistakes in judgment.”

Swalwell, who had been seen as a rising figure in the Democratic Party, had announced on April 12 that he was suspending his campaign for governor.

Republican Tony Gonzales, who had faced calls to step down after a staffer’s suicide amid allegations that he coerced her into an affair, also announced his intention to resign, writing, “There is a season for everything, and God has a plan for us all.”

Swalwell is facing a criminal investigation in New York City, where one of four women who made allegations against him said he sexually assaulted her at a city hotel. The other three women accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct and harassment. He is married and has three children.

Regina Santos-Aviles, who worked for Gonzales, died by suicide last year after setting herself on fire. Gonzales initially denied having an affair with her or any connection to her death, but later admitted to the affair.

Text messages sent by Gonzales to Santos-Aviles, along with messages she sent to another staffer about the relationship, later surfaced and increased pressure on him.

Another staffer also accused Gonzales, who is married and has six children, of asking for nude photographs and sex.

Swalwell’s withdrawal from the California governor’s race had also drawn political attention because of the state’s non-partisan primary system, in which the top two candidates advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation.

With multiple Democrats in the race, party leaders had feared a split vote could allow two Republicans to secure the top spots in the primary. Swalwell had been among the leading Democratic candidates in polling before suspending his campaign. (IANS)