Anthony D’Esposito faces ethics probe over hiring

U.S. Representative Anthony D’Esposito may have violated ethics rules in Congress, designed to combat nepotism and corruption, according to a story published by the New York Times on Sept. 23. 

Shortly after taking the oath of office in 2023, D’Esposito hired his longtime fiancé’s daughter to work as a special assistant in his district office, where she earned $3,800 a month, according to payroll records. In April, D’Esposito hired an alleged mistress, Devin Faas, who earned $2,000 a month for a part-time job in the same district office. Payments to both women stopped in July 2023, the Times reported.

D’Esposito has not been accused of wrongdoing, but the employment of both women, which resulted in a payment of about $29,000 in taxpayer funds, could lead to disciplinary actions in the House of Representatives, according to the Times.

The allegations against D’Esposito come about 6-weeks ahead of Election Day. D’Esposito is being challenged by Democrat Laura Gillen, who he defeated two years ago. Early voting starts on Oct. 26. Election Day is Nov. 5. 

“These are very serious allegations that demand further investigation and it’s clear that Anthony D’Esposito has abused his power in every position of trust he’s ever held,” Gillen said in a statement released by her press team on Tuesday. “As Hempstead Town Supervisor, I fought against corruption, nepotism and waste to help all Nassau County families, and I’ll bring that same common sense, ethical leadership to Congress. Together we can clean up the deep-seated corruption that clearly surrounds Anthony D’Esposito and restore transparency and accountability to New York’s Fourth Congressional District.”

According to the House’s Code of Official Conduct, “a member, delegate or resident commissioner may not retain the relative of such individual in a paid position, and an employee of the House may not accept compensation for work for a committee on which the relative of such employees serves as a member. The House defines “relative” as someone related to the member, delegate or resident commissioner, including a parent, child, sibling, parent’s sibling, first cousin, sibling’s child, spouse, parent-in-law, child-in-law, sibling-in-law, stepparent, stepchild, stepsibling, half-sibling, or grandchild.

According to the Times, Matt Capp, a spokesperson for D’Esposito, did not deny that the congressman had a relationship with Faas, but declined to comment on the employment of either women.

In a statement shared with News12, D’Esposito said “My personal life has never interfered with my ability to deliver results for New York’s fourth district, and I have upheld the highest ethical standards of personal conduct.

“Voters deserve better than the Times’ gutter politics,” he added.