A new Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC) report released Monday alleges that Brandon Phillips, a top aide to Georgia Republican Senate candidate Mike Collins, hired a district intern with whom he had a “pre-existing personal romantic relationship.”
OKC reportA document released by the House Ethics Committee alleges that Phillips, who served as his chief of staff for nearly three years, may have “unfairly discriminated against in the provision of special services or privileges.” participating in the retention of an employee with whom he had a “personal relationship.” The report also alleges that the intern “failed to perform duties commensurate with her compensation.” (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE – Mike Collins Takes Early Lead in Georgia Senate Showdown – But Voter Plurality Still Undecided)
“Brandon Phillips may have used congressional resources for unofficial or otherwise unauthorized purposes. If Mr. Phillips used congressional resources for unofficial or otherwise unauthorized purposes, then Mr. Phillips may have violated federal law, House rules, and standards of conduct,” the report states. “If Mr. Phillips unfairly discriminated by providing special services or privileges, then Mr. Phillips may have violated House rules and standards of conduct.”
“This bogus complaint is a sad attempt to derail one of Georgia’s most effective conservative legislators in Congress,” a spokesperson for Collins’ office said in a statement provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation. “Member Collins hopes to provide the House Ethics Committee with all the factual information and put an end to these baseless allegations.”
Collins' Office: “This bogus complaint is a sad attempt to derail the work of one of Georgia's most effective conservative legislators in Congress. Rep. Collins hopes to provide the House Ethics Committee with all the factual information and put an end to these baseless allegations.” https://t.co/rUh1DR9NcJ
— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) January 5, 2026
LegiStorm lists Phillips has served as a senior policy adviser to Collins since January 2026 and notes that he served as the congressman's chief of staff from January 2023—the month Collins took office—through December 2025.
The House Ethics Committee made the announcement Monday. press release that it received a referral from the OCC regarding Collins' office on October 7, 2025, and then continued review of the matter in November of that year. The committee added that it would refrain from making any further public statements on the matter “until the completion of its initial review.”
The OCC is “an independent, impartial body charged with reviewing allegations of misconduct against members, officers, and employees of the United States House of Representatives and, when appropriate, referring cases to the House Ethics Committee.” according to to your website.
The newly published report comes after some recent polls showed Collins emerging as the frontrunner in Georgia's 2026 Republican primary. Senate primary, where he is one of three major GOP candidates vying for a chance to take on Democratic Sen. John. Ossoff. Collins' campaign raised about $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2025, DCNF reported. first reported October 5, 2025
Collins wrote in a message to X on Monday afternoon that “this year we are giving President Trump another vote in the Senate and Georgians a senator who puts us first.”
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