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Indiana State Representative Victoria Spartz is under investigation after staffers accused her of having an “anger problem” and “general toxicity.”

Indiana State Representative Victoria Spartz is under investigation by the House of Representatives on ethics issues after staff members accused her of “abuse.”

Allegations against Spartz have surfaced in a recent report by Politicowho say multiple complaints have been filed about “general toxicity” and “anger,” according to a current and former employee – both of whom were contacted by investigators in recent weeks.

Employees described in detail how Spartz asked someone to die for her, or how she constantly berated her coworkers, calling them “r*****” and “children.” She has fired many senior staff in recent weeks – but no one said why they decided to leave.

The anonymous staffers claim their complaints were filed with the investigative committees before the Indiana congresswoman won her primary last month. Spartz defeated eight Republican rivals in the Indiana congressional primary to get on the ballot.

The Politico According to the report, the House Ethics Committee has now launched a preliminary investigation into Spartz’s treatment of staff.

However, her campaign adviser Dan Hazelwood said in a statement that she had not been contacted by Ethics Committee staff.

“The congresswoman has long criticized the fact that too many people in Washington want power, salaries and privileges, but then turn around and do nothing,” he said.

“When the system is held accountable, we get anonymous rumors and exaggerated stories. She didn’t ask anyone to die. She doesn’t demand personal tasks or staff to cook her dinner. She insists that people be held accountable for delivering policy results to the American people,” he added.

Congresswoman Victoria Spartz of Indiana speaks to a crowd as she faces an investigation by the House Ethics Committee after staff members accused her of a toxic work environment.
Congresswoman Victoria Spartz of Indiana speaks to a crowd as she faces an investigation by the House Ethics Committee after staff members accused her of a toxic work environment. (AP)

Two sources claim that Spartz has imposed salary cuts in recent weeks that have amounted to “tens of thousands of dollars” for some employees, the outlet reported.

Hazelwood told The Washington Examiner that “employees’ responsibilities have changed. For example, people who had two jobs and whose salaries had increased due to the workload switched back to single jobs and earned less, but still more than before.”

The staffers also claimed that the ethics investigation would also cover the alleged use of taxpayer-funded House funds for campaign work during House working hours. Spartz is alleged to have called staffers on their work phones about campaign issues.

“The usual thing is she calls someone or tells them to their face, insults them, says the F-word about a million times, calls them fucking bitches, fucking children or whatever,” the current employee claimed to Politico“This happens every week. It’s not uncommon. All of my interactions with her have been one of complete and utter anger.”

The former employee also claimed that Spartz said in a phone call in March: “I would rather die than fail to complete a task. Can you give me the same level of commitment?”

Hazelwood said in her statement, among other things: “She has not asked anyone to die. She is not asking for personal tasks or for her staff to cook dinner.”

Spartz’s communications director reportedly resigned on Tuesday, and her chief of staff, Patrick Slowinski, also resigned after serving in the post for less than a month, a person familiar with the matter told the news agency.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Ukrainian-American Representative Victoria Spartz (R-IN) speak to reporters about the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 2, 2022
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Ukrainian-American Representative Victoria Spartz (R-IN) speak to reporters about the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 2, 2022 (Getty Images)

In response, Hazelwood added to the outlet: “We regret Patrick’s departure.”

“The congresswoman has announced her candidacy for re-election and has just come through a difficult primary, so the office is being reorganized and some positions are being changed,” he said.

In response to the question from The Washington Examiner Regarding reports about her treatment of employees, Hazelwood said:

“Representative Spartz wants, first and foremost, an office that does something for the people of the 5th District. Frankly, that is more important than the staff in the constituency. She continues to have long-serving clerks who have consistently done an excellent job. Representative will continue to redeploy staff as needed to get results,” he said.

“Ultimately, it’s about the people, not the employees. While there is resentment, there are also many loyal employees, current and former,” he added.

The Independent has contacted Victoria Spartz’s press office and the House Ethics Committee for comment.