Senate ethics panel clears Gallego after complaint over campaign spending

The Senate Select Committee on Ethics dismissed a complaint against Sen. Ruben Gallego, saying it found no evidence that he violated federal law, Senate rules or related standards of conduct. The June 26 letter closed one formal inquiry.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., filed the complaint and tied it to allegations of campaign finance violations and inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature. The committee asked Gallego for additional information on April 17 and May 15, then reviewed complaint materials, statements from people identified in the complaint, Federal Election Commission reports, the Senate secretary’s 2025 expenditure report, House Clerk expenditure reports, privately sponsored travel reports and Gallego’s responses.

It appreciated Gallego’s “full cooperation” and said it could revisit the matter if new facts emerge.

Gallego denied wrongdoing and said the accusations were politically motivated. After the dismissal, he said the allegations were “right-wing conspiracies” and said he looked forward to an apology from Luna. Luna identified Gallego in April after posting about “very disturbing” allegations, and she later told CBS News that some claims were sexual in nature and some involved campaign finance issues.

Separately, Gallego has faced scrutiny over how he used campaign and leadership PAC money. He spent those funds on family travel, childcare and a Super Bowl trip, including more than $18,000 in childcare reimbursements since 2019 and a $400 payment to his wife’s mother for babysitting. Gallego said such spending can be legal under FEC rules if it is not for personal use, and he also said fundraising often takes place in “nice venues.”

Gallego created a legal defense fund after the allegations surfaced.