House Republican Faces Ethics Committee Probe Over ‘Abuse,’ ‘Rage,’ and ‘General Toxicity’ in the Workplace

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) is being investigated by the House Ethics Committee over what staffers say is a toxic workplace environment rife with “abuse” from the lawmaker, according to a Politico report published Tuesday.

The aides, who were given anonymity by the publication for fear of retaliation, said Spartz has created an atmosphere of “abuse,” “rage,” and “general toxicity.”

She has reportedly drastically slashed aides’ pay in recent weeks after complaining about their performances. Her chief of staff resigned from the job on Tuesday after having it for less than a month.

According to one current staffer, Spartz frequently curses out aides using the f-word while calling them “retards” and other names:

“The common thing is for her to call someone up or to their face, cuss them up, say the F-word about a million times, call them effing retards, effing children, effing whatever,” the current staffer said. “That’s a weekly thing. It’s not rare. All my interactions with her have been filled with complete and total rage.”

The former employee recounted how they told the ethics staffers that Spartz had told them in late March on a phone call, “I would rather die than not complete a task. Can you give me that same level of commitment?” A second former staffer heard Spartz make that comment.

The Ethics Committee is also looking into allegations that Spartz used taxpayer House resources for her campaign during legislative hours.

“Spartz sometimes asks staffers about campaign issues when she calls them on their official phones while they’re in the office, according to the two people,” the report stated.

Politico stated that a campaign adviser for Spartz said the congresswoman had not been contacted about the probe.

“The congresswoman has long been critical that too many in Washington want power, pay, and privilege then turn around and do nothing,” the adviser said. “When the system is held to account we get anonymous rumors and exaggerated stories. … She does insist that people be held accountable for delivering policy results to the American people.”

Spartz previously defended her interactions with staff.

“I work extremely hard at a pace that is not for everyone,” she said.