A police report has brought forward serious allegations of sexual assault involving Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and current Trump nominee to lead the Defense Department.
A woman accused Hegseth of sexual assault after a 2017 event in California, which instigated a police inquiry and ended in a confidential settlement, as the Associated Press reports, potentially complicating the confirmation process for Trump's pick to head the Pentagon.
The accusation centers on an incident in October 2017 after a Republican women's gathering in Monterey, California.
The woman, who played a role in organizing the affair, alleged that Hegseth engaged in inappropriate conduct that night. In text messages to a friend, she described his behavior as suspicious and unsettling.
According to the woman's account, after leaving an after-party with Hegseth, the pair went to a hotel bar, where her memory became hazy. She recounted waking up in a hotel room with Hegseth restraining her from leaving. She claims she repeatedly vocalized her refusal but recalled seeing him in an overbearing position above her.
The report states she later experienced nightmares and memory gaps about how she returned to her room. A sexual assault exam prompted a report to the police by a nurse. Police collected attire as evidence and noted witnesses' accounts, including one from hotel staff, which supported parts of her story.
Detectives directed the findings to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office. However, they did not conclude the accusations were unfounded.
Hegseth has consistently denied allegations, asserting their encounter was voluntary. He admitted to a slight intoxication but maintained he was not heavily impaired. He claimed surprise at being led by the woman to his hotel room and mentioned assuring her the next day of confidentiality regarding the event.
In 2023, his attorney declared that a resolution via a confidential settlement had been reached with the woman to avert a lawsuit. The settlement amount remains undisclosed, primarily to mitigate risk to Hegseth’s professional engagements.
A comprehensive 22-page police document has been published following a request for public records, shedding light on the investigation's details.
Hegseth, known for his role as a co-host on Fox & Friends Weekend before his nomination, was undergoing a divorce at the period of the alleged incident. Speaking on the situation, Hegseth claimed that a thorough investigation exonerated him.
Tim Palatore, representing Hegseth, labeled the woman's threat of legal action as baseless. A statement from a spokesperson for the Trump transition team expressed that the report supports what Hegseth's defense team maintained over time.
In sum, a police investigation scrutinized an accusation of sexual assault against Pete Hegseth stemming from a 2017 event. Despite his claims of consensual interactions, the allegation led to a settlement in 2023. The newly released report continues to keep the ordeal in public discourse as Trump touts Hegseth as his choice to lead the Pentagon.
