The House Ethics Committee released a report Monday from the Office of Congressional Conduct that raises questions about Rep. Lance Gooden’s official travel spending and campaign finances.

The nonpartisan OCC report alleges a pattern of extravagant expenditures by the Texas Republican, including brief stays at luxury hotels costing between $700 and more than $4,000 per night, frequent business- or first-class airfare, and extended car rentals. Gooden received more travel reimbursements than any other House member in 2025, totaling $140,000, according to the findings.

Investigators also flagged potential issues with campaign spending, including discrepancies in Federal Election Commission filings that could indicate misreported or falsified disbursements. Some travel expenses reportedly involved accounts linked to Gooden’s wife, raising concerns about the accumulation of rewards points from official funds. The report mentioned at least one instance where Gooden may have sought reimbursement for his son’s travel.

Gooden dismissed the allegations as baseless. In a statement, he called the referral “insane” and “bogus,” labeling it a “witch hunt” by unelected bureaucrats. He said the House Ethics Committee would expose the matter and called for oversight of the OCC’s targeting practices. Gooden noted that he is the fifth Texas GOP ally of the president to face such scrutiny.

The Ethics Committee announced it would continue its review to gather more information but stressed that the referral and ongoing examination do not indicate any violation has occurred. The OCC referred the matter in June, and the committee extended its initial review in July.

House rules require travel expenses to be reasonable and ordinary and necessary for official duties. The OCC report does not constitute a formal finding of wrongdoing but recommends further review by the Ethics Committee.

Gooden has represented Texas’s 5th District since 2019. The probe centers on whether some reimbursed trips may have served personal or campaign purposes rather than official business.