The events are said to have taken place at a hotel in the picturesque coastal town of Monterey, where a Republican women's association had a convention. A woman has stated in an interrogation that Pete Hegseth "physically prevented her from leaving the hotel room, took her phone and sexually assaulted her". This happened despite her remembering saying no repeatedly, according to a 22-page police report that the news channel CNN has taken part of.
The intended Defense Secretary denies the allegations and claims that the sexual encounter took place with consent.
Paid the woman
However, through his lawyer, Hegseth has admitted to paying the woman in question a sum of money when she threatened to sue him in 2020. He explains this by saying he was afraid of losing his job at the news channel Fox News during a time characterized by the #metoo movement.
The police report confirms what I've said all along, the incident was fully investigated and the police found the allegations to be untrue, which is why no charges were brought, says Hegseth's lawyer Timothy Parlatore to CNN.
The report, however, does not conclude that the allegations are false.
Pete Hegseth, who has been a national guardsman and served in Cuba and Iraq, is described as one of the future President Donald Trump's more controversial appointments. He is considered inexperienced and has made headlines when he has questioned women in combat roles in the military, and politically correct "woke" programs.
Uncertain in the Senate
It is not certain that Hegseth will get the green light in the Senate, which approves ministerial candidates. The same applies to Matt Gaetz, former Representative from Florida, whom Trump wants to see as Justice Minister. Gaetz has been investigated for suspected human trafficking and sexual harassment.
Even Robert F Kennedy Jr, whom Donald Trump has nominated for the post of Health Minister, is accused of sexual harassment. This by a nanny who lived with his family in 1999, writes USA Today.
