Ethics committee launches sexual harassment probe into Rep. Kihuen

Dec. 15 (UPI) -- The House Ethics Committee on Friday launched an investigation looking into sexual harassment allegations against Rep. Ruben Kihuen.

Kihuen, a Nevada Democrat, denies the allegations and is rejecting calls to resign. He is accused of harassing a campaign aide during his 2016 campaign.

Early this month, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called on Kihuen to resign after an initial BuzzFeed report emerged, which said the 25-year-old woman left her job as finance director because of what she says were repeated, unwanted propositions for dates and sex by Kihuen, who was then 35.

A second accuser also has emerged in a report by the Nevada Independent. In the article, the woman said when Kihuen was a Nevada state senator, he repeatedly touched her inappropriately and sent her sexually charged text messages.

Kihuen neither denied nor confirmed the allegations in the report.

"During my ten years in the Legislature, I dated several different women. Out of respect for their privacy, I won't discuss my communications or any other details of those relationships," he said.