Bi Rep. Katie Hill Under Investigation for Alleged Affair With Aide

U.S. Rep. Katie Hill of California is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee because of "allegations that she had an improper relationship with a congressional staffer," The Washington Post reports.

Hill, who is bisexual, is alleged to have been romantically involved with Graham Kelly, her legislative director. The House's code of conduct states that no member may "engage in a sexual relationship with any employee."

The accusation emerged in an article published last week by the conservative blog Red State. The article also alleged that Hill, who was elected to the House last year, "had been involved in a long-term sexual relationship with a female campaign staffer." Red State claimed the woman and Hill had been in a "throuple" with Hill's husband, Kenny Heslep; Hill and Heslep are now in the process of divorcing. The woman's name was not made public, but Red State did publish a photo of her and Hill together, in which Hill was nude. The woman was apparently not on her congressional staff, so the investigation would not involve her.

Hill responded to the article by issuing a statement Tuesday, saying, "Allegations that I have been involved in a relationship with Mr. Kelly are absolutely false," according to political website The Hill. "I am saddened that the deeply personal matter of my divorce has been brought into public view and the vindictive claims of my ex have now involved the lives and reputations of unrelated parties." Heslep is "an abusive husband who seems determined to try to humiliate me," she said.

"Intimate photos of me and another individual were published by Republican operatives on the internet without my consent," she added. She said Capitol Police are investigating how Red State obtained the photos.

The investigation was announced Wednesday in a statement by the Ethics Committee. "The Committee is aware of public allegations that Representative Katie Hill may have engaged in a sexual relationship with an individual on her congressional staff, in violation of House Rule XXIII, clause 18 (a)," said the statement from House Ethics Committee Chairman Ted Deutch, a Democrat from Florida, Rep. Kenny Marchant of Texas, the committee's highest-ranking Republican.

"The Committee notes that the mere fact that it is investigating these allegations, and publicly disclosing its review, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee," they continued.

Hill flipped a Southern California district from Republican to Democratic last year, defeating homophobic incumbent Steve Knight in the state's 25th Congressional District. It was the only remaining district in Los Angeles County with a Republican representative in Congress. She has been seen as "a rising star" in the Democratic Party, The Hill notes. She is vice chair of the House Oversight Committee.

Hill has not responded to the announcement of the investigation, The Hill reports. The Post also sought comment from Graham and Heslep, who have yet to reply. Graham is still a member of her staff.