Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for allegations of staff abuse.
According to Politico, multiple aides have filed complaints accusing Spartz of erratic behavior that includes drastically slashing staffers' pay, and communicating in fits of "complete and total rage" — and two of her senior aides, chief of staff Patrick Slowinski and communications director Michael Stevens, resigned on Tuesday, after only being in those roles since May and January, respectively.
"The aides, who were granted anonymity due to their fear of retribution by Spartz, said their complaints were filed with panel investigators before Spartz won her primary race last month. The investigators told them the Ethics Committee would not launch a formal investigation before then given the potential appearance of meddling in the election, the aides said," reported Daniel Lippman and Adam Wren. "Spartz’s turbulent behavior has continued since, the two people said. In the last few weeks, she has imposed pay cuts reaching into the tens of thousands of dollars for some staffers, which came amid her ongoing complaints about her staff’s performance."
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According to reports, when Politico first began investigating Spartz's work environment, she texted staffers to warn them against giving information to reporters: “If you feel strongly to badmouth me I am ok with it … but please do not use some made up speculations that could put someone’s life in danger … it’s unethical and will not serve you well in the future.”
Spartz did not appear to be immediately aware the House Ethics Committee has opened an investigation, as she told reporters asking her about it this week she is “not sure what you are talking about.”
A Ukrainian-born businesswoman, Spartz's time in Congress has been turbulent, with her previously threatening to resign over the national debt, and proclaiming lawmakers should "shut down" the U.S. economy over the Southern border.