Pete Hegseth’s legal team demands transparency, claiming accuser has history of false allegations.
At a Glance
- Pete Hegseth faces sexual assault allegations from a 2017 incident at a California hotel
- Hegseth’s legal team is seeking the release of files they believe contain exonerating evidence
- The accuser received an undisclosed settlement in 2023 to prevent a potential lawsuit
- No charges were filed due to insufficient evidence, according to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office
- Hegseth maintains his innocence, claiming the encounter was consensual
The Allegations and Investigation
In October 2017, a woman accused Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and potential Trump nominee, of sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Monterey, California. The allegation, which Hegseth denies, has resurfaced amid his consideration for a high-profile government position. According to police reports, the woman claimed Hegseth took her phone, blocked the door, and refused to let her leave the hotel room.
The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges, citing insufficient evidence.
An attorney for Pete Hegseth, the longtime Fox News host and President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, confirmed to NPR that he had paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault so that she would not file a lawsuit: https://t.co/vhjVj2d4fe
— GBH News (@GBHNews) November 19, 2024
Hegseth’s Defense and Legal Strategy
Hegseth has consistently maintained his innocence, asserting that the encounter was consensual. His lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, is now demanding the release of files that may contain evidence supporting Hegseth’s claim of innocence. This move suggests that Hegseth’s legal team believes the accuser’s credibility is questionable.
Parlatore claims there is evidence showing the accuser as the aggressor, though he has declined to share it publicly. The legal team’s recent demand for file release hints at a potentially game-changing revelation: the accuser may have a history of making similar false allegations against other men.
Pete Hegseth sexual assault allegations detailed in police report https://t.co/ZDxty8bbFt
— Joey Garrison (@joeygarrison) November 21, 2024
The Settlement and Its Implications
In 2023, the accuser received an undisclosed settlement to prevent a potential lawsuit. Hegseth’s attorney explained that this decision was made to protect Hegseth’s career from the potential fallout of a prolonged civil process. The settlement, notably made before Trump’s presidency, was less than the accuser initially demanded.
This settlement, while potentially viewed as an admission of guilt by some, is being framed by Hegseth’s team as a pragmatic decision to avoid career-damaging publicity. The fact that Fox News was unaware of the incident or settlement until recently adds another layer of complexity to the situation.
Political Ramifications
The timing of these revelations is particularly sensitive, given Hegseth’s potential nomination for a government position by former President Trump. The Trump transition team was informed about the allegation and settlement after Hegseth’s nomination, raising questions about the vetting process and the potential impact on his appointment.
The controversy surrounding Hegseth’s nomination extends beyond these allegations. He has faced scrutiny over tattoos allegedly linked to extremist groups and was even flagged as a potential “insider threat” and removed from guarding Biden’s inauguration. These factors, combined with the sexual assault allegations, create a complex and challenging landscape for Hegseth’s political aspirations.
