The Senate Ethics Committee has dismissed allegations of misconduct against Sen. Ruben Gallego after concluding an investigation into claims brought forward earlier this year by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.
Senate Ethics Committee decision
According to a letter obtained by NBC News, the bipartisan six-member committee said it found no evidence supporting the allegations Luna had submitted against the Arizona Democrat.
The panel, led by chair James Lankford and vice chair Chris Coons, formally informed Gallego of its decision in a letter reading, “We are writing to inform you that the Select Committee on Ethics dismissed a complaint filed against you by Representative Anna Paulina Luna.”
The allegations
The complaint accused Gallego of campaign finance violations and alleged inappropriate sexual misconduct. Committee members said they reviewed the complaint, interviewed individuals named in the allegations and examined campaign and congressional office expenditure reports during the investigation.
“Specifically, the complaint alleged campaign finance violations and inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature. In response to your request for an investigation, the committee referred these allegations to you and requested additional information on April 17 and May 15, 2026. Based on the investigation of the committee, the committee did not find evidence that your actions violated federal law, senate rules or related standards of conduct,” the committee wrote.
The panel also acknowledged Gallego’s cooperation throughout the inquiry but noted it reserves the right to reopen the case if new information emerges.
Gallego had established a legal defense fund in May to help cover legal expenses related to the probe, which his office confirmed remains active for outstanding fees.
The allegations against Gallego surfaced after former California Rep. Eric Swalwell faced separate accusations of sexual harassment and assault involving multiple women. Gallego has repeatedly denied any knowledge of those incidents, saying his longtime friend and political ally also “lied to” him.
Ruben Gallego’s response
Following the committee’s decision, Gallego issued a sharp response.
“Today’s dismissal reaffirms what I have said about these accusations from the beginning: They were right-wing conspiracies peddled by far-right activists like Anna Paulina Luna, the White House and their allies,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to an apology from Rep. Luna for weaponizing the ethics process while refusing to investigate historic corruption that’s making life harder for families. In the meantime, I will continue fighting for Arizonans and holding Trump Republicans accountable for high costs and new wars.”
Luna later fired back on X, writing, “These are not conspiracy theories. You’re a gross example of representation.”
