Republican congresswoman accuses Sen. Ruben Gallego of misconduct

PHOENIX (AZFamily/AP) — Sen. Ruben Gallego is facing new allegations of misconduct from a colleague on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida told CBS News’ “The Takeout with Major Garrett” that a woman is coming forward with allegations of an event “with a sexual nature,” allegedly.

“I am one member of Congressbut I’m not going to be like some of my colleagues that waitedyou knowforever and a day to bring this information forward. I think that if this is happeningthat it needs to be dealt with,” Luna said.

Rep. Luna said Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s office confirmed there is an ethics investigation.

According to CBS Newsa spokesperson for Gallego called the allegations “right-wing conspiracy theories being parroted by a fringe far-right member of Congress.”

The interview came a day after Luna had a vague post on Xformerly known as Twitterthat said the Senate “has its own trash to take out” and that Thune needed “to look into the allegations against one of your Senators.”

During Thursday’s interviewLuna confirmed she was talking about Gallego and that the allegations include “people that were potentially trafficked.”

“I think anytime that you are knowingly engaging in purchasing someone for sexthat that is something that should be taken seriously,” she said. “I’m not investigating this. I’m simply presenting this information to the authorities that have the positions and power to do what they will with it.”

Gallego has been on the defensive this week after his close friend Rep. Eric Swalwella California Democratwas accused of sexual misconduct toward staff members and resigned. Gallego also chaired Swalwell’s presidential campaign in 2020.

Gallego held an emotional news conference Tuesday and denied any wrongdoing.

“I messed up. I’m human. I trusted this man,” a teary-eyed Gallego said.

Under intense questioning from reportersGallego acknowledged that he had heard rumors about Swalwell being “flirty,” but contended that he trusted him as a close family friend.

“I definitely look at the world in a different way now,” Gallego said. “I personally am going to make sure that I’m going to take personal steps and office steps to make sure that we don’t even get close to a gray line.”

Luna said there needs to be more accountability for lawmakers.

“Most people don’t have these types of rumors floating around about their offices. And the problem that we’re seeing right now is that there are a few people up hereumthat are coming up here and they’re not serving their constituents and it should not be the expectation nor should it be asked of us by either party to cover up for this type of behavior,” she said.

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