Rep. Troy Nehls is currently facing a complaint regarding age discrimination filed by a former employee. The complaint has been submitted to the House Ethics Committee, alleging that Nehls, along with his chief of staff, Robert Schroeder, fostered a hostile work environment for older staff members.
Kevin Countie, who held the position of deputy chief of staff under Nehls from 2021 to 2023, claims that he experienced age-related derogatory remarks and saw his responsibilities increasingly reassigned to younger colleagues, ultimately leading to his departure from the office. Countie, who was hired at the age of 63, asserts that the discrimination he faced was a direct result of his age.
In an interview, Countie expressed his belief that his age was a factor in his dismissal and recounted feeling belittled by comments made by both Nehls and Schroeder. Despite raising his concerns about their behavior on multiple occasions, he reported that no changes were made to address the issues he faced.
The Ethics Committee is reportedly examining the allegations. Countie confirmed that he was interviewed by the committee regarding his complaint in June 2025, and documentation of this interaction has been reviewed. Additionally, a recent email from a lawyer representing Countie advised him on how to discuss the ongoing investigation into his ethics complaint publicly.
In response to inquiries about Countie’s allegations, Nehls’ spokesperson, Emily Matthews, rejected Countie’s claims, labeling them as “baseless lies” without providing further details. She expressed hope that Countie would seek assistance for his issues.
Countie is not alone in his allegations; another former staff member has also claimed to have experienced age discrimination. This individual wrote to Countie in March 2022, mentioning that Schroeder referred to him as “old” and suggested strategies to encourage older employees to resign or retire. Countie subsequently forwarded this letter to Nehls in May 2022 as part of his ethics complaint.
Countie described a consistent pattern of Nehls siding with Schroeder throughout his tenure in the office. He also noted that ageist comments were directed at special adviser Tom Goodfellow, who is also over 60.
In detailing the impact of his experiences in the complaint, Countie articulated the personal and professional toll it took on him. He emphasized that the treatment he encountered was indicative of age discrimination based on stereotypes associated with his age group, stating, “The treatment I endured in Congressman Troy Nehls’s office left me feeling depressed, humiliated, and insulted.”
The House Ethics Committee, which operates under strict confidentiality, has not commented on the specifics of Countie’s complaint. The committee does not disclose active investigations and can choose to keep matters private, meaning some cases may be opened and closed without public knowledge.
Background on Countie
Countie, a retired Army colonel, began his military career in the Texas Army National Guard. He first met Nehls in the early 2000s while serving in the same Army Reserve unit. Their relationship continued, with Countie attending the Army War College alongside Nehls’ twin brother, Trever, who is now campaigning to replace Troy Nehls.
After a successful 20-year career with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Countie transitioned to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission as a criminal intelligence unit director. Following Nehls’ election, Countie was initially approached to serve as chief of staff but ultimately agreed to take on the role of deputy chief of staff and national security adviser.
Upon relocating to Washington in April 2021, Countie quickly realized that his expected role in office leadership was not being fulfilled. He noted that both Nehls and Schroeder began making negative remarks about his age, including comments suggesting that hiring older staff was a mistake.
Countie recounted how Schroeder frequently made him feel unwelcome, including an incident after a staff golf event where he was referred to as “old timer.” He described a troubling atmosphere where younger staff members called him “old man,” and noted that Schroeder never intervened to correct this behavior.
Countie’s ethics complaint outlines specific instances of age-related discrimination, stating that Nehls often referred to him as “the old colonel,” a nickname that became commonplace in the office. He also mentioned an incident where Nehls expressed a desire to surround himself with younger individuals to maintain his vitality.
As 2022 progressed, Countie observed a significant reduction in his responsibilities. Upon returning from vacation, he discovered that his business cards had been removed, his desk relocated, and his legislative portfolio diminished. Furthermore, he was excluded from crucial meetings typically attended by a deputy chief of staff.
Countie alleged that Schroeder consistently denied him opportunities for professional development while favoring younger staffers for specialized training. In May 2022, Nehls hired a younger staff member who took over many of Countie’s responsibilities, further diminishing his role.
In a subsequent meeting with Nehls and Schroeder, Countie expressed his frustrations regarding the reduction of his duties and the office culture, which he likened to a fraternity house. He recounted Schroeder suggesting that Countie was overqualified for his position, comparing his presence to “using a platinum hammer on a rusty nail.” Nehls remained silent during this exchange.
By October 2022, Countie was informed by Schroeder that his position would not be needed in the next Congress, leading to his departure in January 2023.
Other Allegations
Nehls has previously been under investigation by the Ethics Committee for using campaign funds for personal expenses, with no updates released since the initial investigation findings.
Countie’s complaint indicates that ageist remarks were not isolated to him. He noted that Schroeder routinely belittled Goodfellow in meetings, making fun of his voice and physical appearance. Another older employee also reported ageist treatment by Schroeder and shared a letter with Countie detailing an incident where the older employee felt overwhelmed to the point of being compelled to resign.
Countie maintained that he repeatedly addressed his concerns about Schroeder’s treatment with Nehls, but the responses he received were consistently dismissive, with Nehls assuring him that he would handle the situation without any follow-up actions taken.
