The House Ethics Committee is reviewing allegations that Rep. Mike Collins paid an intern who performed no work while she was dating his chief of staff. A separate 37-page report said there was "substantial reason to believe" Collins misused congressional resources by compensating the intern. The report names Caroline Craze, who listed employment at Cox Communications during the period in question, and notes witnesses feared retaliation from chief of staff Brandon Phillips. Collins' camp denies wrongdoing and says he will cooperate with investigators.
House Ethics Committee Opens Review of Rep. Mike Collins Over Alleged 'Ghost' Intern
U.S. Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) speaks during a campaign rally held by Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., August 3, 2024. REUTERS/Megan Varner
The U.S. House Ethics Committee has announced a review of allegations that Representative Mike Collins of Georgia, a Republican Senate candidate, paid more than $10,000 to an intern who performed no work and was dating his chief of staff.
What the Report Says
Committee leaders said the review follows a separate, 37-page investigative report that found "substantial reason to believe" Collins misused congressional resources by compensating an intern in his Georgia office who did not carry out actual duties.
Key Individuals
The report identifies the intern as Caroline Craze, whose LinkedIn profile listed employment at Cox Communications during the period she was receiving pay from Collins' office. The report also states Craze was in a relationship with Collins' chief of staff, Brandon Phillips.
Concerns About Retaliation
Several witnesses told the ethics panel they feared retaliation from Phillips for cooperating with investigators and cited accounts of past violent criminal behavior. Those concerns were noted in the report as part of why some witnesses were reluctant to participate.
Responses From Those Involved
Attorneys for Collins and Phillips have defended the hiring, saying it complied with House rules and characterizing the allegations as coming from disgruntled former aides. Collins' office called the complaint "bogus" and said the congressman "looks forward to providing the House Ethics Committee all factual information and putting these meritless allegations to rest." Representatives for Craze could not be immediately reached for comment.
Political Context
Collins is one of three high-profile Republican candidates seeking the party's nomination to challenge Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff. The race is widely viewed as one of the GOP's best opportunities to add to its Senate majority in the November midterm elections, raising the political stakes of the ethics review.
Note: The Ethics Committee's review is ongoing and does not constitute a finding of wrongdoing. The report cited by committee leaders uses language that indicates reason for investigation rather than a final determination.
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