Congresswoman quitting amid inquiry

Rep. Katie Hill, D-Calif., on Sunday announced her resignation from Congress amid an ethics inquiry into allegations that she had an intimate relationship with a congressional staff member in her office.

“It is with a broken heart that today I announce my resignation from Congress,” Hill wrote in a statement. “This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but I believe it is the best thing for my constituents, my community, and our country.”

Hill’s spokeswoman said that the resignation is not immediate, and that Hill is still deciding on when she will leave office.

Last week, the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation of allegations that Hill was involved romantically with her legislative director, a relationship that would violate House ethics rules.

Hill also was alleged to have been involved in a three-person relationship with a woman on her campaign team.

The allegations first surfaced in a conservative outlet, RedState.org, which published text messages and sexually charged photos.

Hill had accused Republican operatives and her estranged husband of coordinating a “smear campaign” amid the couple’s pending divorce.

In her statement Sunday, she said she is pursuing legal options against those who released private photos.

Hill’s 2018 election victory flipped the last Republican congressional seat in Los Angeles County and helped her party regain control of the House.