A House Ethics Committee investigation has recommended that Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., be censured after concluding he repeatedly engaged in inappropriate and unprofessional conduct toward two young female staffers in his congressional office.
The committee released an extensive report accusing Edwards of behavior that violated the House code of conduct, per Fox News.
While Edwards denied his actions were intended as romantic or sexual advances, investigators said a reasonable person could interpret the pattern of conduct that way.
According to the report, Edwards repeatedly gave the staffers expensive gifts, complimented their appearance, invited them to dinners, vacations and other outings, and sent messages expressing strong affection.
The committee concluded that the repeated interactions crossed professional boundaries and created an uncomfortable workplace environment.
"Representative Edwards engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers," the report states.
It added that his actions included "lavish and recurrent gifts," comments about their appearance, invitations to intimate dinners and vacations, and written notes expressing affection.
Investigators also examined Edwards' cooperation during the inquiry.
While the committee said he generally worked with investigators, it reported that some messages considered relevant to the investigation appeared to have been omitted or deleted from his phone.
The report also detailed comments Edwards allegedly made about the staffers' appearance while they worked in his office.
According to investigators, Edwards frequently told the women they looked "pretty" or "breathtaking" and, in one instance, commented on a staffer's weight.
Edwards disputed that those remarks were inappropriate, telling the committee he believed complimenting colleagues on their clothing was common in the workplace.
According to the report, he said, "It's almost an insult if you don't make some comment about [one another's clothing]."
Another incident highlighted in the investigation involved a farewell gathering for one of the staffers.
The committee said Edwards wrote poems for the employee and read one aloud during her going-away party while a slideshow played. The report states that he became emotional during the presentation.
Multiple staff members who attended the event told investigators they felt uncomfortable during the ceremony.
According to the report, Edwards acknowledged in his testimony that he recognized others in the room appeared uncomfortable as the event unfolded.
The Ethics Committee is recommending that the House formally censure Edwards, one of the chamber's most serious disciplinary actions short of expulsion.
The matter now moves to the full House, which will decide whether to adopt the committee's recommendation.