Skip to main content

OCE Response

Congressman Lamborn's spokeswoman, Cassandra Sebastian, released the following statement:

"Congressman Lamborn is confident in the professional approach the House Committee on Ethics is taking to review the information collected by the overzealous Office of Congressional Ethics. Our office has demonstrated to the OCE in our rebuttal that these false and unfounded allegations have no merit. It is extremely disappointing that two disgruntled former staffers have weaponized the ethics process for political and personal purposes. Congressman Lamborn intends to cooperate fully with the bi-partisan House Committee on Ethics, just as he did with all reasonable requests of the OCE. He remains certain the committee will ultimately reach the appropriate decision by dismissing the OCE's referral and he expects to be fully exonerated."

The rebuttal letter filed by Congressman Lamborn on December 16, 2021, points out that, "The source of the allegations of unethical behavior first surfaced in an employment lawsuit brought by Mr. Brandon Pope, a former staffer, against the office of Congressman Lamborn. Mr. Pope is seeking money damages from the government for back wages, future wages, pain and suffering, as well as attorney's fees. OCE refuses to consider that they are being used by Mr. Pope to try to secure his financial jackpot." (page 3, paragraph 1)

The rebuttal letter goes on to assert that Mr. Pope was terminated for cause, stating, "it came to light in court filings that Mr. Hosler had sent an email just prior to Mr. Pope's termination stating that Mr. Pope was "abrasive with staff and his direct supervisors," "no longer willing to take direction from anyone," "belligerent towards management with unprofessional verbiage and disrespectful responses." In conclusion, Mr. Hosler stated that Mr. Pope "never shows regret for his actions or an intent to improve his behavior." (page 3, paragraph 3 – Exhibit A)

The rebuttal letter concludes that "Without the bias on the part of OCE against the Congressman, as well as their lack of skepticism toward two obviously biased witnesses, OCE would not have reached the conclusions it did." (page 3, paragraph 6)

To read the entire rebuttal letter, click here.

(Privacy Redacted - OCE Response Letter)