Democratic Representative Alcee Hastings (D-Fl.) is being investigated by the House Ethics Committee due to allegations of a relationship with one of his staffers, CNN reports.
Hastings admitted in a newspaper interview in April that he did, in fact, have a relationship with one of his staffers; however, he said that at the time he was “unconcerned with the appearance of impropriety generated by” the affair. The committee investigation will focus on both the affair itself and whether or not Hastings “received any improper gifts, including any forbearance, from that employee.”
The rule barring members from affairs with members of their staff was implemented last year in response to the MeToo movement. Hastings was first elected in 1992, but had previously served as a federal judge in Florida. He was impeached and removed from the bench in 1989 after articles of impeachment were brought against him, alleging such wrongdoings as “conspiracy and perjury.”