Rep. Katie Hill admits to relationship with campaign staffer amid ethics probe
Source: The Hill
Rep. Katie Hill (D-Calif.) late Wednesday admitted to an "inappropriate" relationship with a campaign aide as she faces a House investigation over allegations of being romantically involved with a congressional staffer.
Hill said in a letter to constituents that she hopes she can "put to rest some of the gossip, innuendo and lies," adding that she engaged in the relationship with a campaign aide "despite my better judgement."
"During the final tumultuous years of my abusive marriage, I became involved in a relationship with someone on my campaign," she wrote. "I know that even a consensual relationship with a subordinate is inappropriate, but I still allowed it to happen against my better judgement. For that I apologize."
Read more: https://www.google.com/amp/s/thehill.com/homenews/house/467229-rep-katie-hill-admits-to-relationship-with-campaign-staffer-amid-ethics-probe%3famp
evertonfc
(1,713 posts)I could care less but why do some politicians have the inability to not do stupid shit while serving. Is it compulsive issues? Do they think they can get away with it in 2019? Again, I don't care but very bad decision making this damn early in carree
brush
(53,475 posts)People have relationships. That's not a news flash.
She had a relationship with a subordinate at a workplace. How can you say its clearly consensual given the disparity in power held by the two. Utterly inappropriate and indicative of a complete failure in judgement.
brush
(53,475 posts)People sometimes fall in love.
djg21
(1,803 posts)Thats just a disaster waiting to happen, and virtually guarantees a Title VII lawsuit when things go south with the relationship. Its very bad judgment, and disqualifying in my opinion.
OneCrazyDiamond
(2,029 posts)If the parties are supervisor/subordinate, and consented, it is still inappropriate.
ToxMarz
(2,154 posts)Merlot
(9,696 posts)USALiberal
(10,877 posts)Merlot
(9,696 posts)gopiscrap
(23,674 posts)anything to stick it to the fucking shit stain republicans
Sapient Donkey
(1,568 posts)There are some of us who truly don't care about this sort of stuff unless there is very clear and explicit evidence that harm or illegal activities were done as a result.
While there may some people who say "don't care about this" who would care if this was republican or even a male of any political party, but I wouldn't assume everyone falls into that category.
obamanut2012
(25,911 posts)People fall in love.
docgee
(870 posts)Not if it's consensual. However you think the GOP would care considering their (ahem) moral (ahem bullshit) stance on everything. But they wouldn't either. Well only if the staffer was another woman, then maybe their homophobia might get to them.
aggiesal
(8,864 posts)when his wife was in the hospital and he was getting Clinton impeached.
Pachamama
(16,875 posts)Really?
Codeine
(25,586 posts)People can fuck anyone they please, as long as its all consenting adults.
oldsoftie
(12,410 posts)ffr
(22,649 posts)Nobody is going to convince me otherwise. We've earned it with the pain and suffering inflicted from this cabal.
titaniumsalute
(4,742 posts)flibbitygiblets
(7,220 posts)not fooled
(5,791 posts)including liasons with lobbyist(s), and those came to light only because he got indicted for misusing campaign funds.
Not defending Hill in this and, no, I don't care either but just pointing out that this kind of thing probably goes on with some frequency but rarely gets publicized.
Also, note that Hill's relationship was exposed in RedState, after she flipped a previously red district. RW hit job.
CaptainTruth
(6,546 posts)And being human, she is imperfect, & sometimes does things against her better judgement.
To me, as long as no one was assaulted or harmed, it's a private matter.
Let me know when she puts kids in cages & shreds the Constitution.
vlyons
(10,252 posts)So why is this anyone's business but their's?
knightmaar
(748 posts)The power differential is a bit different when the woman is the boss (I'm assuming the aide was male), but there's still a power differential.
There's a possibility of favouritism.
There's also the possibility that consent might not be freely given if your job is on the line.
chowder66
(9,011 posts)knightmaar
(748 posts)But it looks like RedState was publishing photos of her with another woman.
I wasn't sure which affair was finally being admitted to.
Either way, it's not quite the same as "male boss - female aide", but it still allows pressure to be exerted.
chowder66
(9,011 posts)but admitted to the relationship with the aid.
knightmaar
(748 posts)cadoman
(792 posts)It looks like the most that would happen is a "letter of reproval" and/or "a recommendation to the House of Representatives that a sanction be imposed".
https://ethics.house.gov/publication/code-official-conduct
https://ethics.house.gov/sites/ethics.house.gov/files/ADOPTED%20-%20Committee%20Rules%20for%20116th%20Congress.pdf
Assuming it was all consensual, a saction and/or reproval letter sounds about right. Give the facts to the voters and let them decide.
Rep. Hill is obviously being singled out here though, because she hasn't built up any press leverage and the story is titillating. We know there are plenty more rotten fish, who are doing much worse and getting away with it. Hastert wasn't an anomaly.
gopiscrap
(23,674 posts)BlueIdaho
(13,582 posts)So who cares? If, after an abusive relationship, she has found a relationship filled with mutual love and respect - Im happy for her.
Bradical79
(4,490 posts)And not very smart. It can be an abuse of a unequal power dynamic, and is the source of many sexual workplace. I personally give her benefit of the doubt given the circumstances around her marriage and lack of complaint from the guy. Some of that may be my partisanship, and maybe some internalized sexism? I'm not sure. If it were a GOP male in a relationship with his staffer, I can honestly say my gut reaction probably would be different.
Still, the first thing that should happen when starting the relationship is the aid should get a different job. If it's not worth that sort of change, then it shouldn't happen.
BlueIdaho
(13,582 posts)The fact that she is a democrat who was suffering in a bad relationship, Im sure, colors my thinking as well. Obviously she understands the inappropriate nature of that relationship and is taking steps to make things right. Im not sure what else she can do. Its tough being human.
Contrast that to someone like serial offender Duncan Hunter - I still say there is a qualitative and quantitative difference.
Bradical79
(4,490 posts)A significant number of them should be out of Congress, or in prison, based on their rule breaking and law breaking. Their corruption has been getting more out of control year after year.
Sgent
(5,857 posts)but then wish congrats to Joe & Mika and Bill & Melinda Gates -- both couples which started dating with that kind of relationship.
I don't know how I feel about this, but meh is the most outrage I can generate.
mitch96
(13,821 posts)We have bigger fish to fry......
m
ritapria
(1,812 posts)The rule is simple and fair .. ...Don't mess around with the staff... What does Hill , do ? . She throws it all away by messing around with the staff . I don't give two shits about her sex life but couldn't she muster up the self-control to follow this rule... ..
Polybius
(15,239 posts)I was once a manager at a restaurant when I was 26. I didn't date much, so for me it wasn't too easy. A beautiful server who I had a lot in common with there was always cool with me, and eventually we went hung out one night that we were both off, and things happened and we started dating. We kept it a secret as best as we could.
I don't regret it one bit, it worked out beautifully.
kimbutgar
(20,882 posts)Between fox and her opponent they will be stomping all over her up until the election. She could fight back but the repuke want her blood.
Even though Duncan Hunter, Mark Stanford and several other repukes cheated on their wives it will be mysteriously forgotten because Katie Hill is a Democrat.,
SunSeeker
(51,378 posts)Last edited Fri Oct 25, 2019, 01:13 AM - Edit history (1)
I feel for her. She was in an abusive marriage, the person wanted to be involved with her and gave her comfort at a tumultuous time.
On edit: There appears to be no ethics violation since the relationship was nor with a member of her Congressional staff, but rather a member of her campaign:
...
The House Ethic Committee noted in its release Wednesday that an investigation into the claims does not indicate that Hill violated House rules.
I am beyond grateful for the work the Ethics Committee does to ensure transparency in Congress. I welcome this investigation and will be cooperating fully to clear this matter up, Hill said in a statement later Wednesday.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/rep-katie-hill-being-investigated-house-over-alleged-relationship-staffer-n1071111?cid=referral_taboolafeed
OnDoutside
(19,908 posts)jgmiller
(383 posts)There is a rule against this in congress and she broke it which is stupid on her part.
This is unfortunate because she is smart and she managed to flip a red district that will now flip back. The GOP won't care that Hunter and tons of others have done worse they will just go on and on about this. Also it was a female staffer so this will get even more traction.
She was smart in admitting it once it came out and she seems to be playing correctly about the abusive ex husband, maybe this won't end badly but I doubt it. Let's face it if you are a dem, a minority or LGBTQ and you are in congress then you have to be perfect or they will get you. It's very sad to have to say that but it's the truth.
Jose Garcia
(2,552 posts)Another Democrat could run.
Stuart G
(38,365 posts)....Did She, or Didn't She ....Lie about the "Blow Job?"...(a historical reference to those who do not...
understand this one)... Do your job, and look it up...I ain't going into it, cause it is about a "Blow Job"
Codeine
(25,586 posts)and now youve got to use them up before they spoil?
Stuart G
(38,365 posts)But, I might add, you are not the first one to point that out. Several years ago, there was another comment about my using too many dots........??? At first I did not know what an ellipses was?....then I discovered that it was a lots of dots.......................................................ok? :
SunSeeker
(51,378 posts)Using ellipses the way you appear to do (as a replacement for actual punctuation) is really distracting and muddles whatever point you are trying to make. Commas, periods, colons and semicolons would serve you much better.
Stuart G
(38,365 posts)Hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)SunSeeker
(51,378 posts)BamaRefugee
(3,476 posts)amcgrath
(397 posts)But the most disappointing one may be that she claimed that she wasn't having a relationship and that she asked for understanding as she was separated from an abusive partner who was spreading lies about her. She actually asked for sympathy and understanding for her situation.
It is disgusting to try and hide behind other people's suffering, especially when it may be used to brush aside genuine claims. The fact that she was having an affair was being used as a weapon against her by a nasty bunch of hipocritical sexist republicans.
Now they can add to their venom with the 'fact' that women just lie about such things. I don't care about her private life. I care that she has betrayed people who are genuinely trying to deal with an abusive ex-partner
DarthDem
(5,253 posts)There are two relationships. You've misrepresented what she said.
Freshman Democrat Katie Hill denies improper relationship with staffer
Rebecca Klar10/22/19 04:30 PM EDT
Freshman Rep. Katie Hill (D-Calif.) is denying allegations that she had an improper relationship with a member of her staff, and said the accusations are stemming from her divorce from "an abusive husband."
The fact is I am going through a divorce from an abusive husband who seems determined to try to humiliate me. I am disgusted that my opponents would seek to exploit such a private matter for political gain, she said in a statement to The Hill on Tuesday.
This coordinated effort to try to destroy me and people close to me is despicable and will not succeed," she added. "I, like many women who have faced attacks like this before, am stronger than those who want me to be afraid.
Mike Nelson
(9,903 posts)... the staffer should have found another job.
dalton99a
(81,081 posts)What she does or doesn't do in her personal life is her own business
aggiesal
(8,864 posts)but we should care.
She's a member of congress and all members are privy to classified information,
to be able to do their job and vote on issues with all the facts.
If they do anything that's against the rules or as egregious as having a sexual relationship
with a staffer, that opens them up to being a target and then being compromised.
They could even be blackmailed by the partner if the relationship ends badly.
This was really poor judgement and I believe she'll end up paying dearly for it.
CTyankee
(63,771 posts)"The heart has its reasons."
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)and the female staffer. Photos are supposedly around.
I find this pruriently sufficient for really good gossip, but that's about all.
Codeine
(25,586 posts)First time Ive encountered that term. Nice.
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)Polybius
(15,239 posts)If they're both adults, who cares?
Texin
(2,585 posts)As long as the two of them didn't abuse public funds to arrange accommodation for their trysts, I couldn't care less. Good god. The country is trying to deal with its single greatest threat to the nation's democracy it's hasn't faced since the Civil War. How can anyone muster up enough inflated moral outrage about this? Seriously. Generally, I would say that a boss shouldn't get involved with a subordinate, especially when the balance of power between them is unequal, but I also think it's not a good idea generally for a couple who work together regardless of one being in a higher position or not, since any disagreements between them probably are going to affect their performance on the job. But basically, I don't care if a company or the taxpayers aren't footing any of their expenditures.
That said, she shouldn't have lied about it. If one's involved in an activity that will cause them shame enough to have to come clean publicly, they probably shouldn't be serving in the public domain where some two bit colleague can out their behavior at some point in future.
SunSeeker
(51,378 posts)...
The House Ethic Committee noted in its release Wednesday that an investigation into the claims does not indicate that Hill violated House rules.
I am beyond grateful for the work the Ethics Committee does to ensure transparency in Congress. I welcome this investigation and will be cooperating fully to clear this matter up, Hill said in a statement later Wednesday.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/rep-katie-hill-being-investigated-house-over-alleged-relationship-staffer-n1071111?cid=referral_taboolafeed
IcyPeas
(21,747 posts)seriously. I don't care.
bluestarone
(16,722 posts)A NOTHING-BURGER!!!
Tiggeroshii
(11,088 posts)it's going back to an idiot. She flipped this last year.
inwiththenew
(972 posts)The last round of photos I saw show her naked holding a giant bong with Iron Cross tattoo on her leg.
DeminPennswoods
(15,246 posts)orangecrush
(19,237 posts)Their business.
SunSeeker
(51,378 posts)...
The House Ethic Committee noted in its release Wednesday that an investigation into the claims does not indicate that Hill violated House rules.
I am beyond grateful for the work the Ethics Committee does to ensure transparency in Congress. I welcome this investigation and will be cooperating fully to clear this matter up, Hill said in a statement later Wednesday.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/rep-katie-hill-being-investigated-house-over-alleged-relationship-staffer-n1071111?cid=referral_taboolafeed
The Hill has a very right wing, misleading take on this story. You really should edit your OP, or at least cite the above excerpt from the NBC story, otherwise, you're kinda repeating false right wing talking points from Red State, which is cited in that Hill piece.
SKKY
(11,773 posts)...she broke ZERO laws.
Jose Garcia
(2,552 posts)SKKY
(11,773 posts)...Trump is taking all the oxygen right now. Very, very few are even paying attention to her. I think she should have stuck it out and let this pass over.