Full Breakdown
Lauren Boebert Faces Ethics Complaint Over Alleged Staff Relationships and $200,000 Hush Payment
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Ethics Complaint Accuses Rep. Boebert of Prohibited Relationships
A sworn complaint filed with the U.S. House Committee on Ethics on September 17 alleges that Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) engaged in sexual relationships with three current or former staff members who worked under her supervision. The staffers identified are former district director Clarice Navarro Ratzlaff, district chief of staff Raven Finegan, and former chief of staff Jeffrey Small. The complaint also asserts that Boebert arranged a $200,000 payment to Navarro Ratzlaff in March 2025 to prevent her from filing a separate ethics complaint.
Background & Context: House Rule and Prior Feud
House Rule XXIII, clause 18(a)—adopted in 2018 after a series of Capitol Hill harassment scandals—bars members of Congress from having sexual relationships with employees they supervise. The rule was cited in a 2019 investigation of former Rep. Katie Hill. The current complaint is lodged by David Wheeler, president and co-founder of the political action committee American Muckrakers, who has pursued Boebert for several years. Wheeler’s filing is signed under penalty of perjury.
Timeline
- 2021 – January 2025 – Alleged relationship between Boebert and Navarro Ratzlaff while she served as district director.
- January 2025 – Navarro Ratzlaff leaves Boebert’s office.
- March 2025 – Complaint alleges Boebert paid Navarro Ratzlaff $200,000 to silence her.
- September 16 – Boebert’s spokesperson issues a denial to Us magazine.
- September 17 – Wheeler files the sworn ethics complaint with the House Committee on Ethics.
Data & Statistics
- Three staff members are named in the complaint.
- The alleged hush-money payment totals $200,000.
- The complaint references House payroll records, Federal Election Commission filings, and court documents as supporting evidence.
Official Statements & Responses
- Boebert’s ex-husband, Jayson Boebert, dismissed the allegations as “fairy-tale propaganda.”
- The House Ethics Committee has not announced whether it will open a formal investigation; it must first determine whether the complaint meets procedural requirements before deciding on any further action.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The complaint’s evidence relies heavily on unnamed sources and redacted sections; the source of the $200,000 payment is described as “presently unknown to the complainant.”
- Both Boebert and Navarro Ratzlaff have issued denials, but the public record does not include the underlying documents referenced by Wheeler.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Well, I’m not a lesbian or bisexual, and I have never, ever been in any inappropriate relationship, nor have I ever been sexually involved with any staff,” — Rep. Lauren Boebert, spokesperson
- “We take these allegations very seriously and pray for everyone affected during this challenging time,” — Rep. Lauren Boebert, spokesperson
- “The source of the funds is presently unknown to Complainant,” — David Wheeler
- “I think it is all a fairy tale made up propaganda,” — Jayson Boebert, spokesperson
What’s Next
The House Ethics Committee will review the complaint to confirm compliance with its procedural rules. If the committee deems the filing sufficient, it may establish an investigative subcommittee to examine the allegations, though no timeline for such action has been provided.
