By: Rita Cook
Texas Metro News
https://texasmetronews.com
WASHINGTON D.C. – How can anyone in the United States believe justice will ever be served regarding the Epstein Files, which have been released sporadically over the past month.
While those files offer particularly horrendous information, what is equally appalling is D.C.’s very own slush fund that pays off settlements involving sexual harassment and discrimination claims for Congress, the Capitol Police, and other offices.
According to one report since 1997, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights has paid out over $18.2 million in taxpayer funds to settle 291 cases of workplace disputes, including sexual harassment and race/age discrimination and employment dispute claims.
Often labeled a “sexual misconduct fund,” this amount covers various workplace complaints as part of the Congressional Accountability Act.
It is hard to isolate the exact amount specifically for sexual misconduct versus other payout types however, since the complaints are not fully broken down by category in public reporting.
One report noted that roughly $300,000 in taxpayer funds was specifically identified for 13 claims related to sexual harassment or sex discrimination between 2003 and 2018.
In late February Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced a resolution directing the House Committee on Ethics to preserve and publicly release records and reports on all the investigations into Members of Congress for sexual harassment and unwelcome sexual advances.
“If you sexually harass someone in Congress you do not get to hide behind closed doors. Tony Gonzales showed us what is happening in Congress. But he is not the only one,” Congresswoman Mace said. “The American people deserve answers. Staff deserve answers. Women deserve answers. No more protection for predators in Congress. We are going to shine a light on every single one of them.”
Gonzales, a Republican from Texas is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee following allegations of a sexual relationship with a former staffer who died by suicide in September 2025. Regina Santos-Aviles was an employee in Gonzales Uvalde, Texas, district office.
Gonzales said the affair had nothing to do with her death, claiming she was “thriving” at work, and denied allegations of coercion.
He originally denied the affair and said the accusations were “blackmail” and a “coordinated” attack.
Last week Gonzales admitted to the extramarital affair with Santos-Aviles and characterized the affair as a “lapse in judgment.”
The House Ethics Committee announced a formal investigation into whether Gonzales “engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his congressional office” and/or “discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges”.
An attorney for the staffer’s widower alleged that Gonzales coerced Santos-Aviles into the relationship. Reports also indicated that text messages appeared to show Gonzales pressing the staffer for “sexy” photos.
Following the scandal and the ethics probe, Gonzales announced he would drop his re-election bid, though he planned to serve out the remainder of his term.
Several fellow Republicans had called for his resignation.
Mace’s resolution was to directs the Committee on Ethics to preserve all documents and investigative materials related to violations or alleged violations of sexual harassment rules.
Lawmakers in the house killed the resolution when Mace forced a floor vote directing the House Ethics Committee to make public all the reports on allegations of congressional lawmakers and aides engaging in sexual misconduct or harassment.
The 357-65 vote by the House voted to refer the Mace resolution to committee, which effectively killed the bill. The vote was bipartisan, with 175 Republicans and 182 Democrats voting to block the resolution.
Local lawmakers including Gonzales who voted against the resolution included Chip Roy who is in the GOP runoff in May for Texas Attorney General. Other local Texas lawmakers who opposed releasing the records included Jake Ellzey who represents Ellis County, and portions of Dallas, Tarrant, Johnson, and Navarro counties. Outgoing Democratic U.S. Representative Jasmine Crocket who represents Dallas voted yes to refer to committee, killing the resolution as did local congresswoman Julie Johnson who is heading to the primaries with Colin Allred in May.
Rita Cook is a world traveler and writer/editor who specializes in writing on travel, auto, crime and politics. A correspondent for Texas Metro News, she has published 11 books and has also produced low-budget films.
