Controversy Surrounds Pete Hegseth
WASHINGTON — Pete Hegseth, recently nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for the role of defense secretary, is facing scrutiny over a reported financial settlement with a woman who alleged sexual assault against him. This information has come to light through statements made by Hegseth’s legal team.
The accusations stem from an incident in 2017, which occurred during an event for Republican women in Monterey, California, where Hegseth was a featured speaker. According to the city’s official comments, no criminal charges were pursued in connection with these claims.
Timothy Parlatore, representing Hegseth, informed the Associated Press that the encounter was consensual and characterized the woman making the allegations as the “aggressor.” However, this assertion lacks verification from the city’s earlier statements.
Parlatore confirmed that a financial agreement with the woman was reached several years after the police investigation had concluded. He noted that Hegseth was concerned about the possibility of a lawsuit that could threaten his standing at Fox News, where he had built a significant following. The attorney did not disclose the amount involved in the settlement.
“He was falsely accused, and I believe he was a victim of blackmail,” Parlatore stated, labeling the situation as a case of “successful extortion.”
Read More: Pete Hegseth’s Role in Trump’s Controversial Pardons of Alleged War Criminals
The Washington Post previously highlighted the financial settlement and reported that a memo sent to Trump’s transition team included details from a woman claiming to be a friend of the accuser, elaborating on the sexual assault claims.
As of Sunday, there has been no response from Trump’s transition team regarding the memo.
The individual who reported the alleged assault has not been publicly identified, but they did tell police they suffered bruises on their right thigh, asserting that no weapons were involved in the incident.
The incident reportedly occurred between 11:59 p.m. on October 7 and 7 a.m. the following morning, as stated by the city.
At that time, Hegseth was in Monterey to address a banquet for the California Federation of Republican Women, as indicated by promotional materials and social media posts from that era.
Officials in Monterey have chosen not to release further details from the police report, citing that it contains analyses and conclusions from law enforcement that are protected under state public records laws.
In 2017, when the allegations surfaced, Hegseth, now 44, was in the midst of a divorce from his second wife, with whom he has three children. This divorce followed the birth of a child with a Fox News producer who later became his spouse. His first marriage ended in 2009, reportedly due to infidelity, according to court records.
After the recent revelations, Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the Trump transition team and the incoming White House communications director, issued a statement asserting that the President-elect is committed to selecting highly qualified individuals for his administration.
“Mr. Hegseth has firmly denied all allegations, and no charges have been filed against him. We look forward to his confirmation as the Secretary of Defense, where he can start his efforts on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again,” Cheung said.
—This report includes contributions from Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Palm Beach, Florida.
