When news breaks that a member of Congress is under investigation, whether it be by the DOJ or the Ethics Committee, it is in some ways like a dog bites man story. Though it is intriguing and the public will want to know more, it happens often enough to be something that is just expected to occur at some point.
As RedState readers are well aware, we have seen this very recently, for instance, with the sexual harassment and assault allegations against now-former Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14), leading to near-immediate announcements of investigations and then his resignation in disgrace before he could be expelled.
Similarly, we also saw it with now-ex Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales's (TX-23) resignation an hour later over similar allegations, as well as Democrat Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), who resigned Tuesday just hours before a House vote on expelling her was set to take place, and three weeks after the Ethics Committee's adjudicatory subcommittee found that 25 of the 27 SAVs (Statements of Alleged Violations) against her "had been proven."
SEE ALSO: Sen. Ruben Gallego Suddenly Seems Panicky for Some Reason
But I have to admit, the story that broke Thursday of one Ethics Committee investigation in particular was one that I, and likely pretty much anyone in North Carolina politics, did not have on our bingo cards this week.
Not because Democrats don't have a proven track record of corruption and malfeasance. But rather because of who it was and what the allegation was (which we'll get to in a moment): Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12), an elderly great-grandmother who dresses just about every day like she's going to Sunday church.
Adams has been in Congress since 2014, representing one of the most infamously gerrymandered (and heavily litigated) congressional districts in U.S. history (District 12). Though it has since been redrawn by the GOP-controlled General Assembly to be far more compact, it is still one of those seats that is solidly blue.
According to a report from NOTUS, the 79-year-old Adams was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee in 2023 for... an alleged "inappropriate relationship" with a young female staffer. Yeah:
Bombshell report on a potential inappropriate relationship between Congresswoman Alma Adams @RepAdams and a staffer and the investigation that took place. Adams represents parts of Charlotte. #ncpol https://t.co/TENtzwVHKf
— Brett Jensen WBT News (@Brett_Jensen) April 23, 2026
From the story:
Over the course of several months in 2023, committee staff interviewed roughly half a dozen former aides — some of whom were working for Adams at the time — in Washington and Charlotte, North Carolina, about Adams’ relationship with her now-deputy chief of staff and district director, Sandra Brown, according to four people interviewed by the committee who were granted anonymity to speak freely about the sensitive matter.
The ethics complaint that prompted the investigation was filed against her in the summer of 2022, according to the outlet.
The exact nature of Adams’ relationship with Brown is unclear, but a high-ranking staffer filed a complaint with the committee after the staffer was told by colleagues that the congresswoman was in a relationship with an aide. All of the people that spoke with NOTUS said that at the very least, Brown’s extremely close relationship with Adams resulted in a hostile work environment. Adams repeatedly led the North Carolina delegation in staff turnover.
[...]
Multiple former aides told the committee that Brown appeared to spend long stretches at Adams’ one-bedroom apartment on New Jersey Avenue in Washington, sources said. And at least one former aide said Brown, who worked out of the Charlotte office, sometimes appeared in the background of virtual calls the congresswoman participated in from her Washington apartment.
Witnesses were also asked about a self-published novel authored by Brown, “BossLady: The Legend of Sydney Donovan Begins,” that touches on a woman who clashes with her lover’s husband. Brown wrote the book under a pseudonym but reveals her identity in the author’s section of her Amazon page. Brown told at least one aide that the book was loosely based on her life, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told NOTUS.
NOTUS also noted that, though there was no indication that the alleged relationship, which allegedly created a hostile work environment for other staffers, was non-consensual, House members are forbidden from having "romantic relationships with any House employee directly under their supervision" per the code of conduct.
😱😳 https://t.co/vbfP23bVeI pic.twitter.com/KmQTqZl1ha
— T Bradley (@TBradleyNC) April 23, 2026
What's interesting here is that the statement issued by Adams' spokesperson makes it sound like she was cleared of wrongdoing. But though a spokesperson for the Ethics Committee didn't comment on the matter, Republican Rep. Michael Guest (MS-03), who is the chairman of the committee, merely said they do "not intend to publish the names of individuals against who allegations have been made that we are unable to substantiate."
From an Adams spokesperson:
Congresswoman Adams cooperated fully with the House Ethics Committee's review, which was thorough and detailed.
The Committee closed the matter after finding no violation of any House Rules and, most importantly, no inappropriate or improper relationship.
Ultimately, the Committee advised that Congresswoman Adams should work to ensure that no staff received preferential treatment, actual or perceived, and that all staff were aware they could raise any concerns without fear of retaliation.
Because the Committee's comprehensive review found no violation of any House Rules, no penalties were recommended to the full House and the Committee's review remains confidential.
Just got this statement from Rep. Alma Adams confirming the previous House Ethics Committee investigation. It claims the committee closed the matter after finding no violation of any House Rules and no inappropriate or improper relationship. A spokesperson for the committee… pic.twitter.com/gQzFmoYMz0
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) April 23, 2026
Hmm.
Whatever the case may be, one thing this report and other recent ones like it make clear is that the arrival of TMZ in Washington, D.C. seems to have gotten more media outlets to finally do the type of digging that needs to be done, no matter the party affiliation.
Relatedly, this was certainly a weird hot take:
TMZ hitting DC like a hurricane. Actually to be 80 and to get accused of pulling a side piece is the dream. We stand with rep Adams https://t.co/zsITdvoViM
— Mired in Mayhem (@DCgayLeo) April 23, 2026
Nothing has changed DC reporting as fast as TMZ sending three Australians to Washington. Every news outlet is trying to get ahead of them. https://t.co/h9CWZgpmHe
— Heidi N. Moore (@moorehn) April 23, 2026
As they say, stay tuned.
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