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Rising Democratic star Katie Hill attacks ‘abusive husband’ in blistering resignation letter after affair with staff, intimate photo scandal

  • Congresswoman blames estranged husband and ‘hateful political operatives’ for smear campaign against her

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Katie Hill said explicit private photos of her with a campaign staffer had been ‘weaponised’ by her husband and political operatives. Photo: AP

California congresswoman Katie Hill, a freshman Democrat and a rising star in the party, announced her resignation amid allegations that she had a sexual relationship with a member of her congressional staff.

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“It is with a broken heart that today I announce my resignation from Congress,” Hill, 32, wrote in a resignation letter on Sunday.

“This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but I believe it is the best thing for my constituents, my community, and our country.”

Last week the House ethics committee opened an investigation into allegations that Hill had engaged in a sexual relationship with her legislative director, Graham Kelly, in possible violation of a House rule forged in response to the #MeToo era.

Hill denied the claim in a letter to constituents but admitted to a separate relationship with an unnamed female staffer on her congressional campaign, which she called “inappropriate”.

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Hill is bisexual and was a vocal advocate for LGBTQ equality in Washington.

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