Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth’s attorney on Sunday confirmed to NBC News that Hegseth, whom President-elect Donald Trump has named as his candidate for defense secretary, paid a woman an undisclosed amount after she accused him of sexual assault.
“In 2023, Hegseth paid the complainant as part of a civil confidential settlement agreement and maintains his innocence,” Timothy Parlatore, Hegseth’s attorney, said in a statement.
He also denied that the encounter between Hegseth and an unnamed woman, which she alleges happened in 2017, was sexual assault.
Parlatore’s statement comes after The Washington Post on Saturday reported that a friend of Hegseth’s accuser sent a memo to the Trump transition team detailing the allegations.
Authorities in Monterey investigated the allegation in 2017 and did not file charges against Hegseth.
Persons:
Pete Hegseth’s, Donald Trump, “, Hegseth, ” Timothy Parlatore, Parlatore, ”, he’ll, Sen, Markwayne Mullin, ” Mullin
Organizations:
Fox News, NBC News, Washington Post, Trump, California Federation of Republican Women, Authorities, Hegseth, Senate, NBC, Press
Locations:
Monterey , California, Hegseth’s, Monterey, United States