Ethics committee confirms NC Rep. Chuck Edwards under sexual harassment investigation

Danielle Battaglia, The News & Observer (Raleigh) on May 14, 2026

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WASHINGTON — The House Committee on Ethics confirmed Thursday afternoon that Rep. Chuck Edwards is under investigation for “allegations that he “may have created or fostered a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment.”

The committee announced the investigation in a news release Thursday. It’s the first time it publicly acknowledged the investigation of the Flat Rock Republican.

News reports that Edwards has been under an ethics investigation surfaced two weeks ago. It was first reported by Axios.

Edwards denies any wrongdoing and said he looks forward to the investigation.

Axios spoke to three people who said they witnessed inappropriate behavior by Edwards toward two female members of his staff in their 20s.

Edwards is 65 and has been married more than 45 years.

Reported allegations against Edwards include writing a note to a member of his staff saying she has “written a complex chapter in my heart,” gifting a designer bag and jewelry, giving a staffer an Adam Sandler puzzle to invite her to the comedian’s show, and vacationing with a former staffer in Las Vegas during the government shutdown while he was needed in Washington.

McClatchy has been tracking staffing issues within Edwards’ office since April 2025, when he lost key members of his leadership team.

As of last month, Edwards had lost all but two members of his original team since he took office in 2024.

The News & Observer reached out to every full-time member of Edwards’ past and current staff but has either been denied comment or has left messages that went unanswered.

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