House censures Rep. Chuck Edwards over "inappropriate conduct" toward aides

Washington — The House censured Rep. Chuck Edwards on Tuesday after a House Ethics Committee investigation found the North Carolina Republican engaged in "persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct" toward two young women who worked for him.

The House approved Edwards' punishment — standing in the chamber as the resolution condemning his conduct was read aloud — in a 413 to 2 vote. Censure requires a simple majority.

The bipartisan Ethics Committee released a report in early August detailing Edwards' conduct toward the two women, who previously worked for him when he was a state senator before joining his congressional office. While the committee found no evidence that Edwards engaged in sexual activity with the women or explicitly propositioned them, his behavior toward them created "rumors and innuendo" and violated House rules related to sexual harassment and toxic workplaces.

House rules prohibit lawmakers from having a sexual relationship with a subordinate and from engaging in "unwelcome sexual advances or conduct" toward a House employee.

"Both women were uncomfortable with his behavior (which they attempted to communicate) but were put in an untenable position by virtue of his status as their boss and a Member of Congress," the report said. "Representative Edwards was at minimum blind to that reality, and at worst, dismissive of the impact his inappropriate conduct had on the careers and wellbeing of two women on his staff."

In a speech on the House floor ahead of the vote, Edwards admitted to "poor judgment," but said "regret is not an admission of sexual harassment." He also apologized to the two women and his wife.

"I want to say something directly and publicly to the two women who have been at the center of all of this. I am sorry. I'm sorry that my actions, my judgment or the way that I expressed a friendship ever put either of you in an uncomfortable position," he said. "My intentions were only grounded in what I understood our friendship to be, and in genuine admiration and respect that I had for each of you, not only as professionals but as people."

According to the report, Edwards provided the women with lavish gifts, including jewelry, designer purses, guns, flowers, a KitchenAid mixer and a robotic vacuum, among other things. He also commented on their appearance, invited them to one-on-one dinners and vacations and sent notes "regarding his effusive affection."

The conduct detailed in the report included Edwards arranging for a singer to attend one woman's birthday party and sing Ed Sheeran's "Hills of Aberfeldy" and say that it was "from a special someone." He wrote poems for the woman, including one that he read at her going-away party in front of her colleagues. Edwards also booked and paid for massages and other spa treatments for the woman, skipped House votes to decorate her Christmas tree and took her on a casino trip in which he bought her drinks and paid for her to gamble.

Edwards brought the other woman on political trips, planning personal activities for them, such as a helicopter ride, dinner and a Broadway show.