A lawyer for former Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth confirmed to NBC News on Sunday that Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, paid an undisclosed amount to a woman after she accused him of sexual harassment.
“In 2023, Hegseth paid the complainant as part of a civil confidential settlement agreement and maintains his innocence,” said Timothy Parlatore, Hegseth’s attorney.
He also denied that a 2017 encounter between Hegseth and an unnamed woman was sexual assault.
Parlatore’s statement came after The Washington Post on Saturday He stated that he was a friend of Hegseth‘His accuser sent a letter to the Trump transition team detailing the allegations.
NBC News has not independently reviewed the memo, but Parlatore confirmed it was related to a meeting between Hegseth and an unnamed woman in Monterey, Calif., during a conference of the California Republican Women’s Federation.
The Post reports that the woman was at a conference with her husband and children and “didn’t remember anything until he was in Hegseth’s hotel room and then stumbled to find the hotel room.”
Parlatore denied the allegation, saying, “This is a situation where an arranged encounter took place and unfortunately the woman was forced to lie to explain why she did not return to her husband’s room that night.”
“It was not reported until days later when pressured by her husband. It was fully investigated by the police and video surveillance, numerous witness statements show that he was the aggressor.”
Authorities in Monterey investigated the allegation in 2017 and did not press charges against Hexeth.
Parlatore also called his client “completely innocent” and accused the woman of “trying to squeeze Mr Hegseth for money”.
Hegseth will need to win a Senate majority in a confirmation vote before he can officially become defense secretary.
“I think he’s a good choice,” Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday.
Still, he added, the Senate should debate and consider Hegseth’s record before voting.
“But again, when the allegations come out, we’ll know if it’s confirmed as the Senate moves forward with the advice and consent of the president of the United States and fulfills our constitutional duties.” or not. And I think Pete is a good choice for the position,” Mullin said.
Allie Raffa and Peter Alexander contributed.