WASHINGTON _ The House Ethics Committee has requested documents from Rep. Raul M. Grijalva as it continues to examine allegations into whether he cultivated a hostile work environment.
The ongoing investigation, first reported by E&E News, was a surprise to Grijalva, who faced an allegation of wrongdoing concerning a $48,000 settlement paid to a female member of his staff in 2015, which was dismissed in December 2018 by the House Ethics Committee.
"I welcome any further look into this matter because I'm confident it will fully exonerate me, and I'm excited to see it completed as soon as possible," Grijalva said in a statement. "I look forward to full vindication and prove that I have always created a positive work environment for my staff and conducted myself professionally."
Until the committee asked for the additional documents regarding anything that could be associated with the former employee who made the allegations, Grijalva's office was not aware of an ongoing investigation, according to Geoffrey Nolan, communications director for Grijalva.
Nolan said that the office hasn't received a notification from the House Ethics Committee that new allegations have come about, adding that the committee appears to be "closing the loop on the previous allegations."
There is a mutual nondisclosure agreement involving Grijalva and the former employee, according to Nolan.
The House Ethics Committee did not comment.
