Newhouse staffer was investigated in alleged sex tape scandal. Here’s what they found

An ex-staffer in U.S. Congressman Dan Newhouse’s office was investigated last year over unfounded allegations that the employee had engaged in and recorded a sex act at the U.S. Capitol.

The allegations, as first reported by the online publication Semafor, come after revelations last week that a U.S. Senate staffer had filmed a pornographic video inside a prominent hearing room at the Capitol. That staffer was later fired.

This is at least the second time in the past two years that sexually explicit videos allegedly filmed at the building had prompted investigations, Semafor reports.

“No conclusive evidence was found and the staffer resigned a few months later,” wrote a spokesperson for Newhouse’s office. “The office will not be providing further comment on personnel matters.”

The Central Washington Republican lawmaker’s office was notified last year of allegations that a staffer was possibly engaging in “inappropriate behavior,” according to Newhouse’s spokesperson

Immediately after his office was notified, staff contacted the “appropriate House entities” to conduct an independent investigation. That investigation reportedly yielded no evidence linking the individual to the allegations.

Semafor reports that there were videos circulating on Snapchat last year showing a man masturbating inside a House office building. The setting was identifiable by the furniture, carpet and a mouse pad. A second video showed two men engaging in a sex act in an office.

It’s unclear if any of the men were identifiable.

The ex-staffer has not been named. But in an interview with Semafor, the employee denied participating in the explicit videos. He also said he left Newhouse’s office last year on “good terms” for a job outside of Washington, D.C., and unrelated to the investigation.

A number of high-profile sex scandals have rocked the political world in recent days and weeks.

Last Friday, leaked video came to light showing two men having sex in the U.S. Senate hearing room. One of the individuals was identified as an aide to Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., and was subsequently fired. Capitol police said they were investigating the issue.

And Florida Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler and his wife, Sarasota County school board member and Moms for Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler, are both embroiled in a criminal investigation over sexual assault allegations involving a second woman. Christian Ziegler has denied the allegations.