Trump's Defense Secretary Nominee Denies Assault, Acknowledges Payment to Accuser.

Trump's Defense Secretary Nominee Denies Assault, Acknowledges Payment to Accuser.

 President-elect Donald Trump’s defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, settled with a woman who accused him of sexual assault. The settlement included a confidentiality clause, as confirmed by Hegseth’s attorney.

Attorney Timothy Parlatore stated that Hegseth denies the accusation and described the October 2017 incident in Monterey, California, as a “consensual sexual encounter.”

Monterey city officials confirmed that local police had investigated an “alleged sexual assault” involving Hegseth but did not release the identity of the woman or the full police report, citing state public records law. The city also declined to comment further on the investigation.

Hegseth has not faced any criminal charges or been named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit related to the incident.

According to Parlatore, in 2020, Hegseth learned that the woman was considering filing a lawsuit. He noted that the payment to the woman, who was married, was a “significantly reduced amount.” Hegseth, a veteran and Fox News host, chose to settle during the “Me Too” movement to avoid jeopardizing his job if the accusation became public. Parlatore’s statement did not disclose the settlement amount.

                                                                               

Parlatore said Hegseth felt he was being blackmailed.

CNN spoke briefly with the alleged victim, who became visibly distressed at the mention of Hegseth’s name and declined to be interviewed without consulting her attorney. She did not respond to further interview requests. The Washington Post first reported the settlement and confidentiality clause on Saturday evening.

The alleged incident occurred in the early hours of October 8, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa and was reported by the woman four days later, according to city officials. Hegseth had been a speaker at a conference hosted by the California Federation of Republican Women at the hotel during that time.

The city’s statement mentioned that there were no weapons involved but noted injuries, specifically “contusions to the right thigh,” without giving additional details.

Trump’s decision to nominate Hegseth, who lacks senior military or public office experience, surprised Pentagon officials and some of the former president’s allies. News of the alleged sexual assault surfaced shortly after Trump’s announcement, catching his transition team off guard, CNN reported on Friday.

Trump’s communications director defended Hegseth in an earlier statement to CNN, stating that he “has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed.”

“We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again,” said Steven Cheung.