New York Rep. Anthony D’Esposito was defiant Tuesday, denying allegations about him in The New York Times.

The Times report, released Monday, alleges that the Nassau County Republican gave both his lover and his fiancee’s child jobs in his congressional office — a possible breach of House ethics rules.

D’Esposito labeled the story a “slimy, partisan ‘hit piece,’" telling reporters, “There was nothing done that was not ethical.”

What You Need To Know

  • Rep. Anthony D'Esposito is pushing back on a piece in The New York Times, insisting "there was nothing done that was not ethical"

  • The story alleges he gave both his lover and his fiancee’s child jobs in his congressional office — a possible breach of House ethics rules.

  • D’Esposito, who represents one of a handful of competitive districts across New York, was already facing a tough reelection fight 
  • In a statement, his Democratic rival in November, Laura Gillen, called the allegations against D'Esposito "serious" and said, “It’s clear that Anthony D’Esposito has abused his power in every position of trust he’s ever held"

The story comes just weeks before November’s critical election, where the outcome of D’Esposito’s reelection bid could be critical in determining the balance of power in Washington. 

D’Esposito, who represents one of a handful of competitive districts across New York, was already facing a tough reelection fight. Then-candidate Joe Biden won the district handily four years ago. 

D’Esposito said Tuesday he is “absolutely” staying in the race. 

Casey Burgat, who heads the legislative affairs program at The George Washington University, said the allegations in the Times report could have an impact on the contest.

“Even one, two, three percent of voters now questioning whether or not they're going to put their name next to his on the ballot - that can matter hugely in this race,” he said.

In a statement, the Democratic candidate in the race, former Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen, called the allegations against D’Esposito “serious.”

“It’s clear that Anthony D’Esposito has abused his power in every position of trust he’s ever held,” she wrote, pledging to fight corruption if elected. 

Last year, D’Esposito was one of several New York Republicans facing competitive reelections who helped lead the charge against embattled former Rep. George Santos. Approached by Spectrum News Tuesday, some of those New York Republicans sidestepped questions about the D’Esposito report. 

“I don’t comment on people’s personal lives,” Rep. Marc Molinaro said.

“I’m not in the business of commenting on my colleagues’ personal lives,” Rep. Mike Lawler said. 

Neither responded when asked if there should be an ethics probe into D’Esposito.

Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman, meanwhile, argued the allegations in the Times report suggest there is an “institutional” problem with the “Republican machine” on Long Island. 

“You had the biggest fraud ever in George Santos, and now you have another Long Island member who is, at a very the minimum, pushing the outer bonds of any ethics rules and regulations,” he said.

Spectrum News reached out to the House Ethics Committee, asking if they have received any referrals regarding D’Esposito or if they planned to open an investigation into the New Yorker. A spokesperson replied, “No comment.”