WASHINGTON _ The House Ethics Committee released a report Thursday that includes findings that Rep. Ruben Kihuen harassed women who worked with him and violated the House Code of Official Conduct.
"Kihuen made persistent and unwanted advances towards women who were required to interact with him as part of their professional responsibilities," according to the House Ethics Committee report.
The release comes after a nine-month inquiry by an investigative subcommittee empaneled in December 2017. The report says that Kihuen's pursuit of women who either worked directly for or indirectly with him violates House rules.
House Rule XXIII, clauses 1 and 2, states that "a Member ... of the House shall behave at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House" and "shall adhere to the spirit and the letter of the Rules of the House."
The Nevada Democrat refused to resign following the allegations of harassment by women in December 2017 even after top Democrats called on him to step down.
But Kihuen decided not to seek re-election, making the announcement a day after the Ethics panel launched its investigation. At the time, he disputed the allegations against him, but said they "would be a distraction from a fair and thorough discussion of the issues in a re-election campaign."
