Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) has denied a sworn ethics complaint accusing her of engaging in sexual relationships with three congressional aides, conduct that would violate House rules if substantiated. The complaint, filed with the House Ethics Committee by David Wheeler, head of the political action committee American Muckrakers, alleges relationships with Clarice Navarro Ratzlaff, a former Colorado state lawmaker who managed Boebert’s district office until January 2025, as well as two other current and former senior aides. Boebert stated in an interview with Sources Say News that she is neither lesbian nor bisexual and has never been in an inappropriate relationship with staff.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative commentators and Boebert’s allies dismiss the allegations as politically motivated propaganda. Boebert explicitly rejected the claims, stating, "I’m not a lesbian or bisexual, and I have never, ever been in any inappropriate relationship, nor have I ever been sexually involved with any staff." Her ex-husband, Jayson Boebert, labeled the allegations "propaganda" in a message released by Wheeler. Clarice Navarro Ratzlaff, the central figure in the complaint, also denied the claims, calling them "entirely false, defamatory, and beyond ridiculous," according to the Colorado Times Recorder. Supporters point out that the complaint relies on unnamed sources and that the specific source of the alleged $200,000 payment remains unclear, with the passage detailing its confirmation redacted in the public version.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive critics and oversight groups argue that the complaint highlights a pattern of conduct inconsistent with the ethical standards Boebert has publicly advocated for others. David Wheeler, whose organization has pursued Boebert for years, filed the complaint citing House payroll and campaign finance records that allegedly show a roughly $200,000 payment to Navarro Ratzlaff in March 2025, shortly after she left the office and indicated she would file her own complaint. Critics note that the filing describes encounters in a district office, a campaign-reimbursed vehicle, and campaign-billed hotel rooms, suggesting potential misuse of official resources. Although the underlying notes from unnamed sources supporting the relationship claims were not made public, advocates for stricter enforcement of the 2018 House rule barring sexual relationships with supervised employees view the filing as a necessary accountability measure.
What the Numbers Show
The House rule adopted in 2018 following Capitol Hill harassment scandals explicitly bars members from engaging in sexual relationships with employees under their supervision. This rule was cited in the Ethics Committee’s 2019 investigation of then-Rep. Katie Hill. The current complaint alleges three specific relationships: one with Navarro Ratzlaff, who served as district director from 2021 to January 2025, and two others with current and former senior aides. Financial records cited in the complaint indicate a payment of approximately $200,000 made to Navarro Ratzlaff in March 2025. Boebert’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the specific financial transactions or the nature of the relationships with the other two aides. The complaint’s factual basis rests on internal payroll and campaign finance documents, though the narrative accounts of the relationships are attributed to anonymous sources.
The Bottom Line
The House Ethics Committee will now review the sworn complaint to determine if an official investigation is warranted. The outcome depends on whether the committee can verify the allegations through the cited financial records and testimony, given that the primary sources for the relationship claims are unnamed. Boebert’s history of public scrutiny, including her April remarks urging colleagues to "go to church, find Jesus" following other misconduct resignations, and a 2023 incident at a Denver theater, provides context for the renewed attention on her personal conduct. If the allegations are substantiated, Boebert could face disciplinary action under the House’s strict prohibitions on supervisory sexual relationships.