Lauren Boebert denied allegations involving three current and former staffers and criticized media coverage of a sworn ethics complaint filed against her. The Colorado congresswoman addressed the claims in a video posted to social media, while also questioning whether the complaint meets House Ethics Committee requirements.
Lauren Boebert denies the staffer sex allegations and attacks the media coverage
A sworn complaint filed with the House Committee on Ethics on September 17 alleges that Boebert had sexual relationships with three congressional staffers. It also alleges that she arranged a payment of approximately $200,000 involving one former staffer. Boebert and one of the named former aides have denied the allegations. The House Ethics Committee has not announced a review of the complaint.
In a video posted on X, Boebert criticized journalists who reported on the complaint. “You all ran a smear and called it news,” she said.
Boebert also argued that some outlets failed to examine House Ethics Committee rules before reporting on the allegations. She pointed to rules stating that the committee will not accept a complaint submitted within 60 days before an election in which the subject is a candidate. The rules also state that information submitted as a complaint by someone who is not a House member requires a House member to certify in writing. The House member must certify in writing that the person submitted the complaint in good faith and that it warrants review.
“No member of Congress certified in writing” that the submission warranted review, Boebert said.
The September 17 filing was submitted by David Wheeler of American Muckrakers, who is not a member of Congress. Boebert is running for reelection in November, placing the filing within the 60-day period specified by the committee’s rules. However, the committee has not publicly ruled on whether the submission meets its procedural requirements.
Boebert also objected to the publication of names and photos of staffers mentioned in coverage. She said their families had been affected by the attention.
“Their photos are everywhere now, and they are under attack because of your laziness,” she said.
She continued criticizing journalists for their handling of the story. “This is different, and you crossed a line,” Boebert said. She urged reporters to consider the consequences of their coverage before publishing similar stories.
Boebert ended her video by addressing journalists and supporters. “I hate to spoil the fan fiction, but y’all need to do better,” she said. She then added, “To the rest of y’all, no, I’m not hiring.”
The allegations remain unproven, and the House Ethics Committee has not announced an investigation. One of the former staffers named in the complaint, Clarice Navarro Ratzlaff, has also denied the allegations, calling them “entirely false, defamatory, and beyond ridiculous.”
