Fox News host Pete Hegseth, recently named as Donald Trump’s potential defense secretary, has been accused of sexual assault and paid a confidential financial settlement to prevent a lawsuit that could have jeopardized his job at Fox News.
According to Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, the settlement was made to avoid potential career-ending consequences. Parlatore explained that if the woman had filed a lawsuit, the civil process would likely have prompted Fox News to terminate Hegseth’s employment based on the allegation.
The incident reportedly occurred at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa in 2017, when the woman filed a complaint with the Monterey Police Department. The Washington Post first reported the details, obtaining a memo from the accuser’s friend that alleged Hegseth raped a conservative group staffer after drinking at the hotel bar.
Hegseth categorically denies any wrongdoing and maintains that the sexual encounter was consensual. Parlatore provided additional context, claiming there was eyewitness testimony and video surveillance showing the woman was sober and voluntarily led Hegseth upstairs.
The lawyer stated that the woman made “false claims” two years after the initial incident and threatened to sue. Parlatore sent her a cease-and-desist letter in February 2020 and discovered she had obtained legal representation a year later.
The settlement was made “a couple of years ago,” though an exact date was not specified. Hegseth was investigated by California officials in 2017 but was never arrested or charged.
Despite the serious allegations, Trump’s transition team has not reconsidered Hegseth’s nomination for defense secretary. Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director, stated that Trump is nominating “high-calibre and extremely qualified candidates” and that Hegseth has “vigorously denied any and all accusations.”
Parlatore claims he has spoken with Trump’s transition team about the situation, but he is unsure whether they were previously aware of the settlement. At 44 years old, Hegseth would be responsible for the world’s most powerful military if confirmed by the US Senate.
The nomination and subsequent allegations highlight potential challenges in Hegseth’s path to becoming defense secretary. While he maintains his innocence and the incident did not result in criminal charges, the confidential settlement and sexual assault accusation could potentially complicate his confirmation process.
Trump’s team appears to be standing firmly behind Hegseth, emphasizing his denial of the accusations and the lack of formal legal action. The situation remains fluid, and the Senate confirmation process will likely provide further scrutiny of the allegations.
