A woman accused Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, of sexually assaulting her at a hotel event in Monterey in 2017. Hegseth denies any wrongdoing and was not charged, but confirmed reaching a settlement with the accuser. His attorney stated that there is eyewitness and video evidence proving the accusation is false. The Trump transition team did not provide a comment on the matter.
The woman claimed she confronted Hegseth at the event about his treatment of women and later found herself in an unknown room where he allegedly sexually assaulted her. She believed a drug was slipped into her drink. The woman went to the hospital for a sexual assault exam after the incident. Hegseth admitted to police that they had sex, but claimed it was consensual and that she showed signs of regret afterwards.
This allegation is one of several involving high-profile figures in Trump’s Cabinet. The woman’s account was released in police documents, detailing the events surrounding the alleged assault. Hegseth, a former Fox News anchor, is among those who have faced serious accusations of sexual impropriety. The woman reported feeling drugged and assaulted by Hegseth, but he maintains his innocence and claims the encounter was consensual.
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