Rep. Nancy Mace accused her former staffers of hacking her phone, mismanaging funds, and destroying electronic devices to sabotage her tenure in Congress. She claimed that they forged her signature on documents, submerged electronic devices in water, and deleted files to create chaos in her office. Since her vote to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in October 2023, her office has faced numerous staff departures, with nine members leaving between December 2023 and February 2024.
Former employees described the work environment in Mace’s office as toxic, with some alleging that she openly discussed her sex life with her ex-fiancé. In January, her former chief of staff briefly launched a primary bid against her but ended the campaign after two months. Mace stated that it has been challenging to retain new staffers due to the actions of disgruntled former employees. She claimed that some former staff members leaked information about new hires to generate negative stories and even threatened interns to prevent them from working in her office.
Mace also alleged that a former staffer hacked her devices and tracked her and her children’s whereabouts for months. This breach of privacy deeply impacted Mace, who also discovered unfiled paperwork, unpaid bills, and nearly $1 million in unspent funds allocated for her office. Amid these allegations, two former staffers denied Mace’s claims, suggesting that the congresswoman failed to approve office spending and routinely shared personal calendars with staff. The former employees painted a picture of Mace as paranoid and unwell, expressing hope that she would seek help.
Despite the controversies surrounding her tenure, Mace remains the first Republican woman elected to the House of Representatives from South Carolina and is up for re-election in November. The ongoing turmoil in her office, characterized by staff departures, allegations of misconduct, and disagreements between Mace and her former employees, brings into question the stability of her leadership. The conflicting narratives presented by Mace and her former staffers highlight the challenges faced by congressional offices and the importance of a harmonious working relationship between representatives and their teams.
Mace’s accusations against her former staffers have raised concerns about ethics, privacy breaches, and financial mismanagement within her office. The allegations of forging signatures, hacking devices, and leaking information suggest a deep divide between Mace and her ex-employees. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Mace will address these concerns and rebuild trust within her office. The controversy surrounding Mace’s tenure serves as a reminder of the complexities of congressional politics and the impact of internal conflicts on the functioning of government offices.
