“Complete and Total Rage” Ethics Probe Opens into Rep. Victoria Spartz Amid Allegations of Staff Abuse
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/Sipa USA
Representative Victoria Spartz (R-IN) is now the subject of a formal investigation by the House Ethics Committee following multiple complaints from aides about her behavior. These allegations, as reported by Politico, paint a picture of a work environment fraught with tension and erratic behavior, including substantial pay cuts and fits of rage.
Multiple aides, who have chosen to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, have accused Spartz of dramatically reducing their salaries and engaging in outbursts of anger. The severity of these allegations prompted the resignation of two senior staffers, chief of staff Patrick Slowinski and communications director Michael Stevens, who had only started their roles in May and January, respectively.
The timing of the complaints is notable. The aides claim they approached the Ethics Committee with their concerns before Spartz’s primary victory last month. However, the committee chose to delay the formal probe to avoid the appearance of interfering in the electoral process. “The investigators told them the Ethics Committee would not launch a formal investigation before then given the potential appearance of meddling in the election,” reporters Daniel Lippman and Adam Wren noted.
Despite the ongoing political turmoil, Spartz’s problematic behavior reportedly continued, with recent weeks seeing drastic pay cuts imposed on some staff members. This situation has been exacerbated by her constant criticism of her team’s performance, contributing to a hostile work atmosphere.
As Politico began delving into the allegations surrounding Spartz’s management style, she reportedly sent a text to her staff warning them against speaking to the media. She wrote, “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.”
When approached by reporters this week regarding the ethics investigation, Spartz appeared to be caught off guard, stating, “I’m not sure what you are talking about.”
Spartz, a Ukrainian-born businesswoman, has had a notably turbulent tenure in Congress. Her past actions include threats to resign over issues like the national debt and calls to “shut down” the U.S. economy over concerns about the Southern border. This latest scrutiny by the Ethics Committee adds another layer of controversy to her increasingly contentious political career.
