Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, paid an undisclosed settlement to a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017, his attorney confirmed Sunday. Timothy Parlatore, Hegseth’s lawyer, stated that the payment was part of a civil confidential agreement and reiterated his client’s innocence, describing the encounter as consensual.
The allegation, stemming from a California conference, resurfaced in a memo reportedly sent to Trump’s transition team. Parlatore denied the claims, accusing the woman of fabricating the story under pressure from her husband and calling Hegseth the victim of extortion. Authorities investigated the case in 2017 but did not file charges.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., voiced cautious support for Hegseth, calling him a “good pick” but stressing the importance of Senate review during the confirmation process. Hegseth’s nomination faces mounting scrutiny as the Senate prepares to deliberate.
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