House Ethics Committee Recommends Censure of Rep. Chuck Edwards

The House Ethics Committee released a 25-page report on Monday, detailing its findings against Rep. Chuck Edwards. According to the report, Edwards failed to adhere to the spirit of rules prohibiting sexual harassment of and unwanted advances to House staffers. The committee recommended that Edwards be censured after concluding he violated the Code of Official Conduct by failing to act in a manner that reflects creditably upon the House.

The report's findings confirmed several anecdotes previously reported, including handwritten correspondence, personal gifts, drinking outings, and casino trips. Edwards wrote one staffer a flattering poem that he read aloud at her office-wide going-away party, and gave another staffer a custom puzzle revealing an image of Adam Sandler with a handwritten note inviting her to attend one of Sandler's comedy shows with him.

Edwards also gave the staffers numerous gifts, including jewelry totaling over $1,000, designer purses, guns, shoes, flowers, a laptop and cell phone, and vacations. The committee said it received evidence that the staffers felt uncomfortable and pressured by Edwards' actions. Edwards has denied wrongdoing and maintained that he was cooperating with the Ethics Committee.

The full House will have to vote on whether to censure Edwards, which requires a simple majority. The committee notably did not recommend that Edwards be stripped of his committee assignments. The House is out of session until Aug. 31, and no floor action is expected until lawmakers return.