An ex-worker in the office of Congressman James “Jim” Moylan of Guam said Mr. Moylan’s office is lying that there are no ethics complaints that have been filed against people in the office, and that in fact three other ex-workers have filed ethics complaints. The alleged complaints include forcing an employee to campaign, sexual harassment of an intern, and harassment of another employee following his accusation that the congressman’s chief of staff was like “Hitler.”
Moylan’s chief of staff, Bobby Shringi, addressed each of the allegations, saying the source is a disgruntled former employee with an axe to grind and is lying.
“[T]here haven’t been any ethics complaints against our office, thus these are obviously just allegations from a former disgruntled employee, who … was terminated,” Mr. Shringi said. “I wouldn’t expect him to be our number one supporter.”
On Thursday, Kandit interviewed Democrat candidate for Congress Ginger Cruz regarding an unrelated issue involving attack ads Mr. Moylan had launched against her. The two are vying for Guam’s lone congressional seat, which Mr. Moylan holds. He is a Republican. During that interview, Ms. Cruz disclosed that several Washington sources told her Mr. Moylan’s office was under ethics investigation.
The U.S. House of Representatives has an Ethics Committee, which ultimately makes recommendations to the full House on how congressmen and congresswomen should deal with allegations and evidence of misconduct by any of its members or staff of members. That recommendation follows a lengthy fact finding and investigation period, which begins with the filing of an ethics complaint by any interested party with the Office of Congressional Ethics.
According to its web page, “The OCE is an independent, non-partisan entity charged with reviewing allegations of misconduct against Members, officers, and staff of the United States House of Representatives. “The OCE will accept and review information concerning allegations within its jurisdiction. Please note that a submission of information does not automatically result in an investigation. The decision to begin an investigation (preliminary review) lies solely with the OCE Board. Further, the OCE is not able to provide information about whether the Board has authorized a review or whether the OCE has conducted an investigation related to the information you submit.”
Following Ms. Cruz’s allegations, Kandit reached out to Mr. Moylan’s office for comment. According to District Director Trina Apatang in a news release Friday morning, “this is an orchestration by operatives of the sitting Congressman’s opponent in this year’s election.”
Mr. Moylan commented in that release, saying “I am completely disappointed by this tactic but certainly not surprised. This is a desperate attempt from my political opponent to win at all costs.”
Ms. Apatang added. “The highest-ranking member of the United States House of Representatives, Speaker Mike Johnson just endorsed Mr. Moylan, speaking to the people of Guam of the Congressman’s performance and effectiveness. You don’t receive that if there’s a valid investigation.”
“My life has been one of service, honor and dedication to the people, my island and my country including my service in the United States military and in law enforcement. I will never dishonor this or any office of which I have been elected. I put my reputation and my work up against any scrutiny,” Mr. Moylan said.
Kandit also reached out to the Ethics Committee, and late Friday evening its staff director and counsel Tom Rust replied to the inquiry, “No comment.”
Victim 1
On Saturday morning Kandit reached out to the ex-Moylan staffer, who said the congressman and his office are lying to the public.
The staffer, who we will identify as Victim 1 due to his wish to not be named, said he was dismissed without cause from the office earlier this year by Mr. Shringi. He said Mr. Shringi accused him of causing low morale in the office, which Victim 1 said was actually the result of the chief of staff’s poor management style and the congressman’s absence from leadership within the Washington office.
“No one there is capable … to run a congressional office,” he said, adding that Mr. Shringi often assumes the role of congressman and that the office is run by interns and not by qualified staff. Over Mr. Moylan’s term, which began in January 2023, he alleges that a toxic work environment has grown, and that he was relieved that his ties to the office were cut. He wanted to leave his grievances at that, which is why he brought his complaints about Mr. Moylan’s office to employee counsel and not to the OCE, he said.
“[I]t wasn’t without cause,” Mr. Shringi said of Victim 1’s allegations. “He was underperforming and failed on many fronts. The reality is that the termination did come in much later then (sic) it should have because he had a young family, and you always want to hope for the better. But it had to eventually took (sic) place as it affects the morale of an office. Nonetheless, it is our office policy not to expand on personnel issues, so I won’t elaborate further.”
A member of the Moylan staff, Benjie Perez, has agreed to sit down with Kandit next week to defend the congressman and his office, and to shed light on office operations.
Illegal campaigning, sexual harassment, and the Hitler comment
Victim 1 alleged that two former Moylan employees and a former Moylan intern this year filed ethics complaints against Mr. Moylan and Mr. Shringi.
The first alleged complaint was by an ex-staffer, whom Victim 1 says made the allegation that the congressional office management was forcing this ex-staffer to campaign, which would not be legal.
“We … don’t force employees to participate in campaign activity,” Mr. Shringi said in response to that allegation. “It’s purely a volunteer issue.”
The second alleged complaint was by an ex-intern, whom Victim 1 says made the allegation that she was sexually harassed by a member of the staff.
“[T]his is a very strong statement, and obviously has no merit,” Mr. Shringi said. “If there was an issue, I am sure the office of ethics or even the office of personnel would have raised the issue. Likewise the accused employee’s employment status would have been addressed, as we don’t tolerate such actions. It is unfortunate that this former disgruntled employee had to make such baseless accusations.”
The third alleged complaint was by another ex-staffer, whom Victim 1 says made the allegation that Mr. Shringi was harassing him after the former staffer described Mr. Shringi to other staff members as “Hitler,” a reference to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler.
“As for the Hitler comment and complaint, once again, as as stated previously, no complaints have been filed against our office,” Mr. Shringi said. “Sounds like this disgruntled former employee is making assertions, hoping they are politically spun, and that is wrong.”
Kandit is attempting to speak with the three former Moylan aides and will provide updates to this story if and when those discussions occur.

Moylan “is a nice guy, but he’s not a leader”
Victim 1 said the situation in the Guam congressional office is unfortunate because, “Jim is a great guy, he’s a nice guy. But he’s not a leader.”
He alleges that Mr. Moylan is “someone who needs to be coached on what to say,” and that that is not someone who is representing Guam well. In fact, he alleges, Mr. Moylan’s inability to understand committee work and discussions on the House floor along with Mr. Shringi’s treatment of congressional staff at committee meetings has led to a lack of respect by other House members and their staffs for Guam’s congressional office.
“No one respects the current Guam office,” Victim 1 said, “not even the Republicans.” Republicans currently control Congress’ lower chamber.
Mr. Shringi said these allegations against himself and Mr. Moylan are absurd, and that the proof of respect for Mr. Moylan and his staff are in the high-ranking endorsements the congressman has received for his reelection.
“Congressman Moylan has secured endorsements from the leadership of the House of Representatives, including the Speaker, Majority Leader, Whip, Conference chair, numerous committee chairs, and even the support of Congressman [Gregorio] “Kilili” Sablan and other territorial delegates,” Mr. Shringi said in reaction to Victim 1’s allegations about waning respect for Mr. Moylan’s office. “We landed major wins in the 2024 [National Defense Authorization Act] and the 2025 version is labeled as Guam-centric. You don’t get this level of support unless your member is active, engaged, and respected. So regardless of what a former disgruntled staffer states, the results certainly showcase the real picture. You also don’t get these types of wins or respect if your office is embroiled in violations. The people of Guam are proudly represented and respected in the nations Capitol.”
“Fabrications”
Mr. Shringi insists that voters can trust Mr. Moylan and his office and that the “disgruntled employee” has “fabricated” that allegations of misconduct were made to the OCE.
“There are no matters pending with the OCE,” he said. “[S]ince these fabricated assumptions have been made, we even checked with that office and they said there are none.”
He added that if there were any complaints made, House Speaker Mike Johnson would not have endorsed Mr. Moylan publicly.
“[T]he OCE is the speaker’s [and] ranking leader’s committee,” Mr. Shringi said. “[B]efore getting either’s endorsement, you get vetted. The speaker’s endorsement video came in on Saturday.”
1 Comments
Thomas DeCola
11/30/2024 at 7:58 PM
Did he resign his military commission?
Under U.S. Const. art. I sec. 6 cl. 2, the prohibition against dual office holding for congressional members he is prohibited from being a member of Congress.