Misused public fundsOversight & ethics enforcement

Office of Congressional Conduct found substantial reason to believe Rep. Mike Collins retained a district intern whose work did not match her pay; House Ethics review continues, 2026

Confidence: Confirmed · 6 sourcesGeorgia · Oct 12, 2026

Subject of this story

Brandon Phillips, Former Chief of Staff to Rep. Mike Collins

Mike Collins, U.S. Representative, Georgia 10th District

Also named

Oversight

Office of Congressional Ethics

U.S. House Committee on Ethics

What happened

The Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC) adopted a report on September 24, 2025 and sent it to the House Committee on Ethics on October 7, 2025. By a 6-0 vote, the OCC Board found substantial reason to believe that Rep. Collins used congressional resources for unofficial or unauthorized purposes, retained an employee who did not perform duties commensurate with her pay, and dispensed special favors by retaining an employee with whom his chief of staff had a personal relationship. All three findings concern the hiring and pay of a person listed as a district-office paid intern in late 2023 and late 2024. On two other allegations, about the chief of staff's travel reimbursements and salary and possible campaign work, the OCC said it could not reach a determination without cooperation from Collins and the chief of staff. The OCC reported that Collins and the chief of staff did not respond to its requests, and it recommended that the Ethics Committee subpoena Collins and five others. A referral finding is not a finding that a violation occurred. The Committee extended its review on November 21, 2025 and on January 5, 2026 published the OCC report and Collins's submission, saying further review does not itself indicate that any violation occurred. In a December 31, 2025 letter to the Committee, Collins's attorney Russell Duncan said the intern's temporary hiring was proper and within the chief of staff's discretion, that the referral came from two former staff members, and asked the Committee to dismiss the matter. A Collins spokesman said, 'This bogus complaint is a sad attempt to derail one of Georgia's most effective conservative legislators in Congress,' and that Collins would cooperate. The AJC reported on July 27, 2026 that the chief of staff, fired in May 2026, was dropped from the probe because he is no longer a House employee, while the Committee's review of Collins is ongoing. No Committee finding on Collins had been announced in the sources reviewed.

Sources (6)

Office of Congressional Conduct - Review 25-7636 (Rep. Michael Collins)The Board recommends that the Committee further review the above allegation concerning Rep. Collins because there is substantial reason to believe that Rep. Collins used congressional resources for unofficial or otherwise unauthorized purposes.

Office of Congressional Conduct - Report and Findings, Rep. Collins (published by House Ethics, Jan 5, 2026)Rep. Collins and Mr. Phillips repeatedly declined to respond to or even acknowledge the OCC's notices, formal requests, and other communications. The Board recommends that the Committee on Ethics issue subpoenas to Rep. Michael Collins; Brandon Phillips; Caroline Craze; Kevin Mason; John Ferland; and Monica Burton.

House Committee on Ethics - Statement regarding Representative Mike Collins, Jan 5, 2026The Committee notes that the mere fact of conducting further review of a referral, and any mandatory disclosure of such further review, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee.

Clark Hill (attorney for Rep. Collins) - letter to House Ethics Committee, Dec 31, 2025, published by the CommitteeThis temporary hiring was proper and done to assist the Office in serving the interests of the District. Mr. Phillips's decision to hire this intern was well within his discretion in managing the Congressman's office.

Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionSpokesman Corbin Keown: "This bogus complaint is a sad attempt to derail one of Georgia's most effective conservative legislators in Congress."

Response

Brandon Phillips

Not yet contacted

Not yet contacted for this story.

Mike Collins

Statement given

Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.

What happened next (0)

No outcome recorded yet.

I saw an update

Take action →