Alleged relationship between intern, chief of staff revealed in U.S. Rep. Mike Collins investigation

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The U.S. House of Representatives ethics committee said Monday it is continuing to investigate U.S. Rep. Mike Collins over allegations his office employed an intern who may have had a romantic relationship with Collins’ chief of staff, Brandon Phillips.

The committee announcement came after publication of the findings of the board of the Office of Congressional Conduct, a report adopted by the board back on Sept. 24, 2025.

By a unanimous vote, the board found “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 board said in its findings. “Mr. Phillips may have discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges by participating in the retention of an employee with whom Mr. Phillips had a personal relationship. If Mr. Phillips discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges, then Mr. Phillips may have violated House rules and standards of conduct.”

The board is recommending “further review” of Phillips’ alleged actions.

RELATED: U.S. Rep. Mike Collins under microscope of House ethics committee

The House ethics committee said it would not be issuing any public comment until after its investigation is concluded.

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Collins, U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, former football coach Derek Dooley, and business owner Reagan Box are hoping to square off against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff, who is running for reelection in 2026.

“This bogus referral is nothing but a desperate and baseless attack by Rep. Collins’ political opponents,” a representative for Collins said late last year. “We look forward to the ethics committee completing its work and this frivolous complaint being dismissed.”

Collins’ team said the referral was made by the Office of Congressional Conduct to the ethics committee. His team said the ethics committee received the referral, which is to decide whether or not to investigate.

Collins currently represents Georgia’s 10th congressional district in the U.S. House, which encompasses Athens-Clarke County. Collins authored the Laken Riley Act, named after the nursing student whose body was found on the University of Georgia campus in 2024.

Jose Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant who federal officials confirmed was in the U.S. illegally, was convicted last year in Riley’s murder.

Collins is emphasizing his ties to President Donald Trump, who signed the Laken Riley Act as one of his first acts as the nation’s 47th president earlier this year.

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