Ethics Watchdog Flags Hiring Practices in Rep. Mike Collins’ Office

A congressional ethics watchdog has raised serious concerns about potential misconduct involving U.S. Rep. Mike Collins’ former chief of staff, according to a report released Monday. The Office of Congressional Conduct found “substantial reason to believe” that Brandon Phillips, who now works for Collins’ Senate campaign, hired his girlfriend as an office intern who “did not perform duties commensurate with her compensation.”

The allegations come at a critical time for Collins, who is one of three leading Republican contenders vying to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in Georgia’s upcoming Senate race. Collins faces competition from fellow U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter and former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley in what promises to be one of the most closely watched Senate contests of the year.

The ethics report states the woman in question received payments of $5,044 in late 2023 and $5,244.44 across three months in 2024 for purported work in Collins’ Georgia district office. Multiple witnesses told investigators they never saw the woman performing duties in the office during this period.

Russell Duncan, an attorney representing Collins, defended the hiring decision in a December 31 letter, describing it as “proper and done to assist the office in serving the interests of the district.” Duncan claimed the allegations originated from “two disgruntled, former members of Congressman Collins’ staff” and argued that the payments were for “valuable assistance” on communications and other work performed throughout 2023 and into 2025.

“Mr. Phillips’ decision to hire this intern was well within his discretion in managing the congressman’s office,” Duncan wrote, recommending the complaint be dismissed.

The House Ethics Committee, which received the report, announced it is extending its review of the complaint first submitted in October. The six-member board of the Office of Congressional Conduct voted unanimously to adopt the report, which included two former Republican members of Congress from Georgia—Lynn Westmoreland and Jody Hice. Notably, Collins succeeded Hice in representing Georgia’s 10th Congressional District, which stretches from the eastern Atlanta suburbs through Athens.

The ethics office’s investigation also explored accusations that Phillips misused congressional travel funds and potentially performed campaign work while being paid for congressional duties. However, investigators were unable to substantiate these additional claims.

Neither the woman hired as an intern nor several key witnesses cooperated with the investigation. The watchdog has recommended that the House Ethics Committee subpoena Collins, Phillips, the woman in question, and three other current and former staffers from Collins’ office to compel their testimony.

In response to the allegations, Collins’ office issued a defiant statement: “This bogus complaint is a sad attempt to derail one of Georgia’s most effective conservative legislators in Congress. Rep. Collins looks forward to providing the House Ethics Committee all factual information and putting these meritless allegations to rest.”

The controversy has already drawn attention to Phillips’ background as a Republican operative. He previously served as Donald Trump’s Georgia state director in 2016 until resigning after media reports surfaced about his 2008 legal troubles. Phillips had pleaded guilty to criminal trespassing and battery charges following incidents where he destroyed someone’s laptop and slashed another person’s tires.

Collins’ political opponents have quickly seized on the ethics report. “These are serious allegations and Collins has some explaining to do to the people of Georgia,” said Harley Adsit, a spokesperson for Rep. Buddy Carter. “One thing is now clear: Collins as the Republican nominee would be a gift to Jon Ossoff, one Georgians can’t afford to give.”

The Democratic Senate Majority PAC also criticized Collins for his association with Phillips, questioning, “Why did Mike Collins put someone with this record in charge of his office — and why did he keep him there?”

As the House Ethics Committee continues its extended review, the allegations could potentially impact Collins’ Senate campaign in a race Republicans view as a key opportunity to flip a Democratic-held seat in their efforts to regain control of the Senate.