Katie Hill: Under-fire Democrat admits ‘inappropriate relationship’ with staffer as ethics probe opened

'During the final tumultuous years of my abusive marriage, I became involved in a relationship with someone on my campaign'

Congresswoman Katie Hill, a California Democrat elected in 2018, has admit to an "inappropriate relationship" with a campaign staffer during the final years of what she calls an "abusive relationship". (CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag)

A rising star of the Democratic party has admitted a relationship with a campaign staffer in 2018 after the House ethics committee announced it was opening an investigation into the issue, a possible House violation.

Congresswoman Katie Hill acknowledged the relationship in a statement that read: “During the final tumultuous years of my abusive marriage, I became involved in a relationship with someone on my campaign. I know that even a consensual relationship with a subordinate is inappropriate, but I still allowed it to happen despite my better judgment.

“For that I apologise. I wish nothing but the best for her and hope everyone respects her privacy in this difficult time.“

Ms Hill, a newly-elected politician from California and the first openly bisexual House member, has seen her personal life become the subject of national scrutiny after a conservative blog alleged she and her husband had engaged in a polyamorous relationship with the female staffer before she was elected to Congress.

That blog shared intimate photos of her and the staffer, who remains unnamed, as well as text messages between the two women.

It also claimed that “numerous sources” told her estranged husband, Kenny Heslep, that Ms Hill engaged in a sexual relationship with Graham Kelly, her legislative director who had previously served on her campaign.

Ms Hill has denied those allegations, describing them as “absolutely false” in a letter written to her constituents on Wednesday night.

“I am going through a divorce from an abusive husband who seems determined to try to humiliate me,” she wrote.

“I am disgusted that my opponents would seek to exploit such a private matter for political gain,” the letter continued. “This co-ordinated effort to try to destroy me and the people close to me is despicable and will not succeed. I, like many women who have faced attacks like this before, am stronger than those who want me to be afraid.“

Ms Hill noted that “distributing intimate photos with the intent to publish them is a crime” and added that she had notified Capitol Police who are reportedly investigating the issue.

The opening of a House committee investigation into the matter does not imply “any violation has occurred,” the House ethics committee said in its statement.

The vice chairwoman of the House oversight committee, Ms Hill is helping to spearhead Congressional probes into Donald Trump’s impeachment over an alleged abuse of power surrounding his dealings with Ukraine.