The House Ethics Committee has found substantial evidence that Republican Representative Chuck Edwards made repeated unwanted advances toward two young female staffers, recommending the full House vote to censure him—the first such recommendation since 2010.

Inappropriate Gifts and Deleted Messages

The bipartisan committee’s 25-page report details how Edwards, 65, showered his staffers with expensive presents including jewelry worth over $1,000, designer purses, firearms, shoes, flowers, electronics, a KitchenAid mixer, a robotic vacuum, vacation trips, performance tickets, and private dinners. Both women had worked for Edwards during his time as a North Carolina state senator and continued when he joined Congress. One staffer was still in college when the behavior began, while the other was in her early twenties.

Edwards took one staffer to New York City for his birthday celebration, which included a planned helicopter ride, dinner, and Broadway show. He later paid for her to visit New York with a friend to see Hamilton after she experienced a breakup. At another staffer’s birthday party, he arranged for a singer to deliver a serenade saying it was from a special someone. The woman later told friends she was scared because Edwards didn’t view her as just a daughter figure.

Evidence and Denials

Investigators found that Edwards intentionally deleted messages to these women that were particularly inappropriate—a discovery the committee called central to their investigation. The congressman denied his behavior was intended as sexual or romantic advances and claimed the relationships were professional boss-subordinate friendships. No evidence indicated Edwards engaged in sexual activity with either woman, according to the report. Both staffers told investigators they attempted to communicate their discomfort but felt trapped because of his position as their employer and a member of Congress.

Political Fallout and Next Steps

Edwards, who is seeking reelection in North Carolina’s 11th district, maintains his innocence through campaign spokesman Paul Shumaker. The spokesman stated the findings exonerate Edwards under House rules governing sexual misconduct and that he did not violate federal sexual harassment law. A censure resolution represents one of the House’s most severe punishments but does not remove a member from office or carry explicit penalties beyond public admonition. The committee concluded that Edwards engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct but has not acknowledged or taken responsibility for the harm caused to his former staffers.