(Des Moines) The House Ethics Committee unanimously voted to reprimand members of the “Bitches Get Stuff Done” organization for publishing content online claiming Rep. Samantha Fett, R-Carlisle, was a “former stripper.”
The committee met to discuss a complaint made by Fett against the liberal group for alleging she was a former stripper. On a section of the organization’s website titled “the Burn Book” providing information about Republican lawmakers, Fett’s occupation is listed as “Former Stripper, Moms for Liberty Fanatic, Devil in Disguise.” Fett, who works as a marketing communications director, said the claim was false and the online post could impact her work in the future.
The complaint was received March 24, and Rep. Bill Gustoff, R-Des Moines, said the group was given a 10-day period, expiring April 10, to respond. When no response was received, he said, the committee later proceeded to schedule the meeting and gave members of the organization time to respond.
Heather Ryan, one of the leaders of the group, said she “got a tip from a constituent that said that that was her former profession.” Ryan said she could not prove that Fett formerly worked as an adult dancer.
“There was no reason for me to not believe it,” Ryan said. “I don’t think it’s bad work. Sex work is work. So, you know, I don’t care about that. I thought she’d be more upset that we called her a ‘devil in disguise,’ but who am I to judge? So had she contacted me, had she reached out in any fashion and said anything about it, I would have taken it down. But she didn’t.”
Heaven Chamberlain, another organizer with the group, said she made the graphic with information from a “reputable source,” but said she would not name who she received the information from. She also said that listing Fett’s profession as a “former stripper” was not inherently negative.
“I’m just gonna say, I worked as an OnlyFans model, there’s nothing wrong with that, just like there’s nothing wrong with being a stripper,” Chamberlain said.
Fett told the committee she filed the complaint because the group was registered to lobby lawmakers.
“When you do register as a lobbyist, you agree to operate at a higher level of professionalism, under rules,” Fett said. “And as you heard two individuals say, this was a rumor on an occupation that clearly isn’t true, that was published and promoted as a way to harm.”
Rep. Timi Brown-Powers, D-Waterloo, questioned the “economic damage” caused by the posting, but said she understood that it is “very frustrating to be an attacked on social media.” Gustoff said the rules allow the ethics committee to take action on subjects that have the intention of harm, and do not necessarily require proof of harm.
The committee unanimously approved issuing a public reprimand against the organization — a way of expressing disapproval of the group’s actions, but that does not put other sanctions on the organization.
Fett said her complaint was filed to ensure that professionalism is upheld at the Legislature.
“The end result is not the reason it’s the right thing to do,” Fett said. “Like I said, we’re taking a stance (against people who) make a statement with the intention of harming someone else, especially someone who’s representing constituents.”
Heather Ryan with the organization “Bitches Get Stuff Done” spoke to lawmakers on the House Ethics Committee April 23, 2025 about a complaint filed over a posting on the organization’s website that identified a lawmaker’s profession as “former stripper.” (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
