US Defense Official's Sexual Misconduct Controversy Intensifies... Acknowledges 'Confidential Settlement'

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Sexual misconduct allegations against Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for Secretary of Defense, are spreading. Hegseth admitted that he was investigated by the police in the past over sexual assault allegations and reached a confidential settlement.

On the 17th (local time), according to The New York Times (NYT) and The Washington Post (WP), Hegseth's legal representative revealed that a settlement payment was made to a woman who claimed she was sexually assaulted by Hegseth, under the condition of confidentiality.

Donald Trump, President-elect of the United States, has nominated Pete Hegseth, Fox News host, as Secretary of Defense. Photo by AP Yonhap News

However, Hegseth's side drew a line by stating that the settlement was made out of concern that he might be fired from Fox News. Timothy Palletore, Hegseth's lawyer, said, "It was during the peak of the Me Too movement," and claimed, "We settled at a significantly reduced amount compared to the initial demand."

He also stated that the woman began to take legal action two years after the incident, and when Hegseth's side sent a letter demanding a settlement in February 2020, she hired a lawyer and started negotiations in December of the same year.

Hegseth, who attended a Republican women's meeting as a speaker in 2017, is accused of sexually assaulting the woman at the accommodation where he stayed that night. The woman later reported Hegseth. The police investigated Hegseth but closed the case without prosecution. The police report itself has not been made public.

However, NYT and WP reported that they obtained a letter sent to Trump’s transition team by someone claiming to be a friend of the woman, which presented claims different from those disclosed by Hegseth’s side. According to the letter, the woman was responsible for guiding Hegseth to his accommodation and ensuring he left for the airport on time the next morning. She received messages from other women saying, "Hegseth is trying to take us to his room," and went to check. The next morning, she had a hazy memory until she regained consciousness in Hegseth’s hotel room, but after returning home, she recalled being sexually assaulted and underwent an examination at an emergency room. The test results showed positive for semen, and she reported the incident to the authorities.

Hegseth’s side strongly denies the allegations, claiming that the sexual encounter was consensual and settled with the woman. They stated, "According to witnesses, Hegseth appeared intoxicated, but the woman was not, and surveillance cameras confirmed that the two were seen walking arm in arm."

With the conflicting positions of both sides, the controversy surrounding Hegseth is expected to intensify.

It is known that the transition team also faced controversy over Hegseth’s nomination after receiving this letter. However, according to the NYT, President-elect Trump was informed that Hegseth was sued in 2017 over sexual assault allegations and had reached a financial settlement with a confidentiality clause, but he expressed his intention to maintain the nomination.

Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director, did not comment on Trump’s thoughts but said, "Hegseth has strongly denied all allegations, and no charges have been filed," adding, "We look forward to Senate confirmation."

Meanwhile, Matt Gaetz, the nominee for Attorney General, is also facing sexual misconduct allegations, causing growing unease within the Republican Party. Gaetz was investigated by the House Ethics Committee over allegations of soliciting sex from a 17-year-old female. However, after being nominated for Attorney General, he resigned from the House of Representatives, making the disclosure of the Ethics Committee report uncertain.

Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin argued in an interview with NBC on the same day that the House Ethics Committee report on Gaetz should be made public to the Senate.