Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) will call for the House to open an ethics investigation into allegations that he abused his ex-girlfriend, Karen Monahan, more than a month after Monahan first went public with her claims.
In a statement to BuzzFeed News Wednesday, the progressive Democrat, who serves as the deputy chairman of the Democratic National Committee and is currently running for Minnesota attorney general, said, “Today I am announcing that I will submit a request for a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations against me raised by a former partner.”
“I am taking this step now because I am innocent and eager to see this entire matter resolved,” Ellison continued. “In addition to any House investigation, an independent investigation has been conducted by an independent attorney. I have complied fully with that investigation, the results of which should be made public soon … These allegations have lingered in the public sphere, and remain unsubstantiated. I welcome an investigation by the House to allow us to move on.”
Ellison’s statement follows calls by numerous Democrats, including Sens. Mazie Hirono (HI) and Tim Kaine (VA), and Rep. Jackie Speier (CA), that the allegations should be investigated.
“I have been very clear that I make no excuses for anybody who engages in this kind of behavior. And, as far as Keith Ellison, these allegations need to be investigated, and appropriate action taken,” Hirono told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday.
The Minnesota Democratic Party conducted its own investigation following Ellison’s primary victory in August, the results of which are expected “any day.” The Democratic National Committee is also reviewing the allegations.
Monahan publicly accused Ellison of domestic abuse last month, after her son posted claims on Facebook that he saw a video on his mother’s computer in 2017 that showed the congressman dragging Monahan off her bed while yelling profanities.
Since then, Monahan has continued to post on social media about her allegations, recently sharing her doctor’s November 2017 patient progress notes and tweeting, “It amazes me the measures people have to take for their humanity to be validated.”
The medical note states that Monahan reported that “she was in a very stressful environment for years, emotional and physical abuse by a partner,” which the doctor later identifies as Ellison. According to the Minnesota Star-Tribune, Health Partners could not confirm the validity of the document as it would “violate patient privacy rules.”
@MSNBC @CNN @CBSNews
Here is one of my Dr visits stating the abuse that occurred.
It amazes me the measures people have to take for their humanity to be validated. #metoo pic.twitter.com/7J0U5qwH4n— Karen Monahan (@KarenMonahan01) September 18, 2018
On Sunday, Monahan tweeted directly at Ellison, telling the congressman, “This is not going away and you are making it worse for you, your family and district by lying, smearing, getting others to do your dirty work, victim shaming, etc.”
@keithellison this isn't right. This is not going away and you are making it worse for you, your family and district by lying, smearing, getting others to do your dirty work, victim shaming, etc. You know I have the video and more. I am still trying to offer grace and a way out
— Karen Monahan (@KarenMonahan01) September 23, 2018
Monahan’s allegations have come under renewed scrutiny amid the accusations of sexual assault against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Numerous Republicans and conservative pundits have attempted to deflect from the allegations against Kavanaugh by slamming Democrats for what they see as hypocrisy by failing to investigate Ellison.
Serious question. Are Keith Ellison, Sen. Sherrod Brown, Sen. Booker and Sen. Tom Carper signing on?
I know they’re Democrats but thought it’s only fair to ask given their history’s on this subject. https://t.co/Jx1pPS8w8v
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 26, 2018
Republicans have so far refused to support calls for the FBI to open an investigation into the mounting allegations made against Kavanaugh.