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ARIZONA NEWS

Sen. Ruben Gallego denies misconduct allegations as woman reportedly prepares to come forward

Sen. Gallego denies misconduct allegations as woman reportedly prepares to come forward with attorneys

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PHOENIX — A woman is preparing to come forward with attorneys alleging sexual misconduct by Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, according to claims made by Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna on national television Thursday.

Gallego’s office flatly denied the allegations, calling them “right wing conspiracy theories.”

Luna, speaking on CBS News’ “The Takeout,” said a woman is preparing to come forward with attorneys regarding an incident with Gallego that was “sexual in nature.”

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Luna also alleged two instances of campaign finance violations but did not provide evidence for either claim.

Asked by CBS host Major Garrett whether the allegations were criminal in nature, Luna said she believes so.

“I think that if it involves people that were potentially trafficked, yes,” said Luna. “Regarding the campaign finance violations, I think that that’s cut and dry. But right now I’m not investigating this, I’m simply presenting this information to the authorities that have the positions and power to do what they will with it.”

Luna said she forwarded the information to Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s office.

However, a spokesperson for Gallego said the senator has not been contacted regarding the allegations.

“Senator Gallego has not received notification or been contacted by the ethics committee,” a spokesperson with Gallego’s office said.

Gallego addressed questions about his personal actions during a press conference Tuesday, saying he was not involved in Rep. Eric Swalwell’s alleged misconduct.

Swalwell resigned from Congress this week after multiple women accused him of sexual assault.

Gallego, who chaired Swalwell’s presidential campaign, said he was misled by his former friend and called the women who accused Swalwell courageous.

“I let this man into my family. I trusted this man,” Gallego told reporters. “It hurts, the fact that he hurt a lot of people.”

Luna did not present corroborating evidence for her claims during the interview.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

David Iversen is a Phoenix-based journalist and digital content editor. He’s a veteran reporter who has covered everything from local politics to national investigations, writing for FOX, The New York Times, Business Insider, and other outlets.… Read more

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