The House Ethics Committee has empaneled a bipartisan group of lawmakers to investigate Rep. Blake Farenthold, who faces allegations of sexual harassment by a former female employee who received an $84,000 payout over her claim.
The four lawmakers who will sit on the investigative subcommittee were named on the House floor earlier Wednesday. A second investigative subcommittee was also named by the House reading clerk but it’s not clear what that group of lawmakers will be investigating.
Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., and Rep. John Conyers Jr., D-Mich, both resigned last week over allegations of misconduct, and it is possible Ethics will continue investigating the matter even though the lawmakers are gone from the House.
Farenthold, R-Texas, is accused of making sexually explicit comments about his communications director, Lauren Greene, who then sued claiming gender discrimination and harassment.
Farenthold denies the claims.
The subcommittee that will investigate Farenthold will be chaired by Rep. Leonard Lance, R-N.J. Rep. Anthony Brown, D-Md., will serve as the top Democrat.
Reps. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., and Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., will also serve on the subcommittee.
