Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO) has publicly denied allegations of engaging in sexual relationships with members of her congressional staff, including two women. Her statements came in response to a sworn complaint filed with the House Committee on Ethics on September 17, which accused the Colorado Republican of inappropriate conduct with three individuals who were current or former employees. Boebert’s denial marks her most direct personal address of the accusations to date.
"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, (R-CO)
In an interview published over the weekend with Capitol Hill reporter Juliegrace Brufke, Boebert explicitly stated, “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.” This assertion directly counters claims made in the ethics complaint regarding both the nature of the alleged relationships and the gender of some of the individuals involved. A spokesperson for Representative Boebert echoed her denial, describing the accusations as “utterly false” and asserting there was “no truth to them whatsoever.” The spokesperson further characterized the complaint as “nothing more than a politically motivated stunt designed to manipulate the ethics process, create headlines, smear her, and generate clickbait.”
The complaint was formally submitted by David B. Wheeler of American Muckrakers, an organization known for its activist reporting. It specifically names former district director Clarice Navarro Ratzlaff, current District Chief of Staff Raven Finegan, and former Chief of Staff Jeffrey Small as individuals with whom Boebert allegedly had inappropriate relationships. House rules explicitly prohibit members of Congress from engaging in sexual relationships with employees under their supervision, unless the individuals are legally married. However, the mere filing of a complaint does not constitute proof that any violation has occurred.
Clarice Navarro Ratzlaff, who is a central figure in many of the complaint’s allegations, has also issued a strong denial. Speaking to the Colorado Times Recorder, Navarro stated, “These allegations regarding me are entirely false, defamatory, and beyond ridiculous. There is absolutely no truth to any part of this claim.” The complaint details allegations that Boebert and Navarro maintained a relationship beginning in 2021 and continuing until Navarro’s departure from Boebert’s office in January 2025. It further claims that encounters took place in various locations, including Boebert’s district office, hotels, and a vehicle for which mileage reimbursements were reportedly collected. Additionally, the filing alleges that Boebert arranged an approximately $200,000 payment to Navarro in March 2025, purportedly after Navarro threatened to file an ethics complaint of her own. Both Boebert and Navarro dispute these broader accusations.
Wheeler, the complainant, maintains that his allegations are supported by a range of records and sources with direct knowledge. These purported evidences include text messages, bank records, court documents, and recorded conversations. Despite these claims, much of the material concerning the alleged relationships relies on unnamed sources, and the allegations have not been independently substantiated by external reporting.
Challenges to Wheeler’s credibility have also emerged. Boebert’s team has highlighted Wheeler’s past reporting about her, specifically referencing a 2022 incident where he promoted allegations involving Boebert that included the mistaken use of another woman’s photograph. According to reporting cited by The Daily Beast, Wheeler later acknowledged that portions of his research at that time had been “sloppy.” Furthermore, Jayson Boebert, Representative Boebert’s former husband, has also rejected the latest allegations. He reportedly described Wheeler’s account as a “fairy tale made up propaganda” and suggested the activist relied on unreliable sources, as per The Daily Beast.
As of this report, the House Ethics Committee has not publicly announced whether it has opened a formal investigation into the allegations. The current stage of the story has largely shifted from the initial filing of the complaint to Representative Boebert’s unequivocal denials, emphasizing her refutation of both the alleged sexual relationships and the specific claim of same-sex relationships with her staff members. The situation remains under scrutiny as the ethics process, if pursued, unfolds.
