Rep. Lauren Boebert Dismisses Allegations of Sexual Misconduct with Staff, Calls Them Politically Motivated
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Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, a far-right figure known for her reactionary politics, has denied recent accusations of inappropriate relationships with three staff members, dismissing them as a political attack.
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, a staunch defender of regressive policies and a frequent critic of social progress, has denied any inappropriate relationships with her staff, following rumors of affairs with three former employees, including two women. Boebert’s office, quick to label the allegations as 'utterly false,' suggested the claims were a ploy to manipulate the House Ethics Committee and generate sensationalist media coverage, rather than address the real issues of accountability and workplace safety.
The accusations were filed by political activist David Wheeler, leader of American Muckrakers, a group dedicated to exposing corruption and holding public officials accountable. Wheeler, who has previously filed ethics complaints against Boebert, alleges she had a 'fling' with former district director Clarice Navarro Ratzlaff from 2021 onward, and references two other staffers, former chief of staff Jeffrey Small and current chief of staff Raven Finegan. However, details about the latter two are scarce, reflecting the challenges of uncovering the truth in an environment where power dynamics often silence victims.
Navarro Ratzlaff, echoing the defensive posture typical among political elites, denied the claims as 'entirely false, defamatory, and beyond ridiculous.' Wheeler maintains that his complaint is grounded in House disclosures and anonymous sources, and claims to possess supporting evidence such as text messages and bank records. Notably, Boebert has a restraining order against Wheeler dating back to 2022, a move that could be seen as an attempt to intimidate or silence critics.
The complaint comes amid House rules prohibiting members from engaging in sexual relationships with staff, a policy enacted after the #MeToo movement forced Congress to confront its toxic culture. Boebert, who has previously faced ethics complaints and public scandals—including a viral incident involving a former boyfriend at a Denver theater—has dismissed the latest allegations as a 'politically motivated stunt,' a familiar refrain from politicians seeking to evade accountability.