Ethics Committee Investigates Rep. Katie Hill For Alleged Affair

SANTA CLARITA, CA — Los Angeles County Congresswoman Katie Hill is under investigation for an alleged affair with a member of her staff, the House Ethics Committee announced Wednesday.

Hill has denied the allegation, blaming it on a smear campaign by her Republican opponents and an abusive husband she is in the process of divorcing. Sexual relationships with Congressional staffers are against House rules, and rarely has a congresswoman been investigated for alleged sexual impropriety. It's a case that could test the Democratic Party's leadership, which has taken a strict stance against sexual misconduct since the MeToo movement began.

Hill issued a statement denying she engaged in an affair with with her legislative director Graham Kelly. "Allegations that I have been involved in a relationship with Mr. Kelly are absolutely false," she wrote.

In a letter sent to her constituents, she acknowledge having a relationship with a campaign staffer. The first openly bisexual Congresswoman from California, Hill and her husband dated a woman who worked on her campaign, according to texts and graphic photos provided to the conservative outlet RedState.com. The outlet published a nude photo of the Congresswoman in a series of articles accusing Hill of sexual impropriety.

In a letter, Hill apologized to voters for the relationship with the campaign staffer.

"During the final tumultuous years of my abusive marriage, I became involved in a relationship with someone on my campaign," Hill's letter said. "I know that even a consensual relationship with a subordinate is inappropriate, but I still allowed it to happen despite my better judgment."

The Ethics committee cautioned people not to jump to conclusions about its investigation.

"The committee notes that the mere fact that it is investigating these allegations, and publicly disclosing its review, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the committee," according to a statement from the panel. "No other public comment will be made on this matter except in accordance with committee rules."

A representative for Hill could not be reached for immediate comment.

In her statement, Hill said she was cooperating with the House Ethics Committee.She also attacked her opponents for attempting to smear her.

"The fact is I am going through a divorce from an abusive husband who seems determined to try to humiliate me," Hill said. "I am disgusted that my opponents would seek to exploit such a private matter for political gain. This coordinated effort to try to destroy me and people close to me is despicable and will not succeed.

"I, like many women who have faced attacks like this before, am stronger than those who want me to be afraid."

Hill also said had contacted U.S. Capitol Police after intimate photos of her and another person were published by the conservative website RedState, images she said were "published by Republican operatives on the internet without my consent."

The House voted in 2018 to prohibit sexual relationships between lawmakers and their employees.

Hill defeated then-Rep. Steve Knight, R-Palmdale, in November to represent the 25th Congressional District, which includes Santa Clarita Valley, and portions of the northern San Fernando Valley, Antelope Valley and eastern Ventura County. After winning her seat in a surprise victory over incumbent Steve Knight in 2018, Hill has been viewed as a rising star among Democrats and a prime target of Republicans, who see winning back her seat as a part of the path back to power in the House Of Representatives.

City News Service contributed to this report.