Boebert Responds to Ethics Complaint Regarding Staff Relationships

<figure><img alt="Lauren Boebert." src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/OQTOY6ODIFBYZP56ZIMNSLYVWE.png?auth=8d643b5c89f66e869c6e7af96e4322b57a45994e2e53d867d80772315c4c9191&amp;smart=true&amp;width=2884&amp;height=1622" /><figcaption>X/Lauren Boebert</figcaption></figure><p>Representative Lauren Boebert has addressed allegations claiming she engaged in inappropriate sexual relationships with members of her staff, including two women. The allegations were revealed in a complaint filed with the U.S. House Committee on Ethics by the American Muckrakers group on September 21, 2026.</p><p>Boebert is accused of violating House rules by having relationships with three staff members: Clarice Navarro, her district director; Raven Finegan, her current deputy chief of staff; and Jeffrey Small, her chief of staff from 2021 to 2025. Additionally, it is alleged that Boebert paid Navarro $200,000 in hush money after Navarro threatened to expose their relationship.</p><p>In a video released on social media, Boebert denied the allegations, stating, "You all ran a smear and called it news. Some sloppy, desperate, obsessive hack stamps under oath on a fake filing, so you’ll write penalty of perjury in the headline? Yeah, that’s the whole freaking trick. It’s a scam, and you fell for it."</p><p>Boebert, who is seeking re-election in the upcoming midterms, pointed out that congressional rules prevent the Committee on Ethics from acting on referrals within 60 days of an election. She stated, "This is more filthy garbage that reaches beyond me. This reaches into the homes of people who have dedicated years of service to Coloradans alongside me."</p><p>David Wheeler, president of American Muckrakers, has previously made allegations against Boebert, which she claims are unsubstantiated. Boebert has a restraining order against Wheeler since 2022.</p><p>Under House rules established after the #MeToo movement, members cannot have sexual relationships with individuals they supervise unless they are married. The ethics complaint states that Boebert had a relationship with Navarro from 2021 until Navarro left her position in 2025. After leaving, Navarro allegedly threatened to file a complaint about their relationship.</p><p>Navarro has denied the allegations, calling them "entirely false, defamatory, and beyond ridiculous. There is absolutely no truth to any part of this claim."</p><p>A spokesperson for Boebert criticized the allegations as politically motivated, stating they are designed to manipulate the ethics process and generate negative headlines.</p><p>In May 2023, Boebert filed for divorce from her husband of nearly 20 years. She has faced public scrutiny for her behavior during a performance of <i>Beetlejuice</i> in September 2023, where she was removed for vaping and being disruptive.</p>