Sen. Ruben Gallego on Friday forcefully denied claims that a woman is getting ready to accuse him of sexual misconduct, with his office dismissing the chatter as baseless and politically motivated.
What Luna Said
Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna told CBS News' "The Takeout" that a woman was "preparing to come forward" with attorneys to accuse Gallego of sexual misconduct, and added that she believed the alleged behavior could be criminal, according to ABC15 Arizona. Luna also tossed in two alleged campaign-finance violations but did not offer any public evidence, the outlet reported. CBS News has posted a clip of her appearance on "The Takeout."
Gallego’s Office Responds
Gallego’s office "flatly denied the allegations" and branded them "right-wing conspiracy theories," according to ABC15 Arizona. The statement said the senator rejects any suggestion of wrongdoing and urged the public to treat unverified claims with caution while attorneys and reporters sort through what, if anything, is actually on the record.
A Broader Political Backdrop
Luna’s comments land in the middle of a broader wave of stories about alleged misconduct in Congress that has triggered resignations and fresh ethics probes, including recent scrutiny of Rep. Eric Swalwell that prompted an Ethics Committee review, as reported by AP News. Luna has been vocal about expulsions and investigations, and Gallego had previously pulled his support for Swalwell as that controversy played out.
What Comes Next
As of Friday, there are no public filings tied to Luna’s claim, and it is still unclear whether any accuser will step forward on the record. CBS News reports it has reached out to Gallego for additional comment and is monitoring the situation. Local outlets say they will update their coverage if attorneys for any potential accuser file formal complaints or present corroborating evidence.
