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A4 U.S. NEWS
Saturday 7 april 2018
GOP Rep. Farenthold resigns after sexual harassment claims

settlement, but hasn't done
so yet.
In an ominous sign for Far-
enthold, the head of the
House GOP's campaign
committee said in a state-
ment Friday that he hopes
Farenthold is "true to his
word and pays back the
$84,000 of taxpayer money
he used as a settlement."
Rep. Steve Stivers of Ohio,
the GOP campaign chief,
added that "Congress must
hold ourselves to a higher
standard and regain the
trust of the American peo-
ple."
Two Republicans, former
Texas Water Board official
Bech Bruun and ex-Vic-
toria County Republican
Party Chairman Michael
Cloud, are squaring off in
a May 22 primary runoff to
succeed him.
A businessman and self-de-
scribed radio sidekick who
was new to politics, Faren-
thold upset long-serving
Democratic U.S. Rep. Solo-
In this Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017 file photo, Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, arrives for a House Committee on the Judiciary over- mon Ortiz during the tea
sight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. party wave of 2010. But his
Associated Press district has since been re-
drawn to make it more reli-
By MATTHEW DALY and WILL move along and look for she complained. Still, the necticut and an outspoken ably Republican — includ-
WEISSERT new ways to serve," Faren- congressman apologized #MeToo advocate, made ing removing many areas
Associated Press thold said in a video state- in that video for an office the announcement not to along the Texas-Mexico
WASHINGTON (AP) — Texas ment, adding that his ac- atmosphere he said includ- seek a fourth term in the border which had favored
Republican Rep. Blake Far- tion was effective as of 5 ed "destructive gossip, off- November election days Democrats.
enthold abruptly resigned p.m. hand comments, off-color after apologizing for not In Friday's video, Farenthold
Friday, four months after In December, Farenthold jokes and behavior that, in protecting her employees thanked his staff for its hard
announcing he wouldn't had posted another video general, was less than pro- from the male ex-chief of work and his family for its
seek re-election amid sex- denying a former aide's fessional." staff. support while saying: "Leav-
ual harassment allegations. 2014 accusations, includ- Capitol Hill has found itself The lawsuit by former Faren- ing my service in the House,
"While I planned on serving ing that he'd subjected in the center of a nation- thold aide Lauren Greene I'm able to look back on
out the remainder of my her to sexually suggestive al reckoning over sexual alleged that the congress- the entirety of my career
term in Congress, I know in comments and behavior misconduct and gender man had discussed his in public service and say it
my heart it's time for me to and then fired her after discrimination in the work- sexual fantasies about her was well worthwhile."
place. Since October, eight and said at a staff meeting "I look forward to staying in
lawmakers have either re- that a lobbyist had proposi- touch with everyone," Far-
signed or abandoned re- tioned him for a threesome. enthold said. "It's been an
election bids amid allega- It accused Farenthold of honor and a privilege to
Paradise in the Caribbean tions of sexual misconduct. repeatedly compliment-
Some members and aides ing her appearance, then serve."q
have complained about joking that he hoped the
a patchwork system for re- comments wouldn't be
porting offenses and secre- construed as sexual harass-
cy around settlements paid ment.
by lawmakers' offices. Farenthold, a seven-year
A ninth lawmaker, Rep. House veteran from Corpus
Elizabeth Esty, announced Christi, had said he'd en-
on Monday she will not gaged in no wrongdoing
seek re-election this year when he settled the case in
amid calls for her resigna- 2015. But after congressio-
tion over her handling of nal sources said he'd paid
the firing of a former chief the $84,000 settlement us-
of staff accused of harass- ing taxpayer money, pub-
ment, threats and violence lic focus intensified. Far-
against female staffers in enthold has promised to
her congressional office. reimburse the Treasury De-
SALES OFFICE +297 2801005 info@leventaruba.com Esty, a Democrat from Con- partment for the cost of the
MOBILE +297 5927275 www.leventaruba.com