Pete Hegseth told senator he paid $50,000 to woman who accused him of 2017 sex assault
Recent developments have emerged regarding Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, who disclosed that he paid $50,000 to a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017. This information was revealed during his confirmation process in responses to Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts, which were obtained by various news outlets including the Associated Press and CNN.
Payment Disclosure: Hegseth confirmed the payment amount in written responses to Senator Warren, addressing her inquiries about a non-disclosure agreement related to the incident. The existence of the settlement had been previously known, but the specific amount was not disclosed until now.
Accusations: The woman, referred to as “Jane Doe,” alleged that Hegseth sexually assaulted her in a hotel room in Monterey, California, during a political event in October 2017. She claimed that he took her phone, blocked her exit, and assaulted her. Hegseth has consistently denied these allegations, asserting that the encounter was consensual and that he was “falsely accused”.
Legal Context: Following the investigation into the claims, authorities referred the case to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office. However, charges were not pursued due to insufficient evidence to meet the burden of proof required for prosecution.
Senate Confirmation Process: Despite these serious allegations, Hegseth’s nomination has progressed through the Senate Armed Services Committee along party lines, though two Republican senators voted against him due to concerns over his character and past behavior.
Public Reactions: Senator Warren has expressed that such allegations should raise significant concerns regarding Hegseth’s suitability for a position overseeing national security.
This situation continues to develop as Hegseth’s confirmation vote approaches amid ongoing scrutiny of his past actions and character.
