Will this congressman be the next to go? Blake Farenthold facing ethics probe over payment of taxpayer funds to settle harassment lawsuit amid claim as many as FORTY legislators will be exposed
The House Ethics Committee dismissed the complaint against Farenthold in 2015; it’s taking a new look at the case in light of a $84,000 payout
A former communications director to Farenthold, Lauren Greene accused the congressman and his chief of staff of ‘hostile conduct’ in a 2014 lawsuit
She also claimed that Farenthold sexually harassed her multiple times
Farenthold allegedly told Greene that he was ‘estranged from his wife and had not had sex with her in years’
Another staffer told her that the congressman had ‘sexual fantasies’ and ‘wet dreams’ about her
Two representatives and one senator resigned this week in disgrace as ethics investigations were opened into their alleged misconduct
Farenthold could be the next Member of Congress to go as the net comes down on legislators
By FRANCESCA CHAMBERS
DAILYMAIL.COM
8 December 2017
Texas Republican Blake Farenthold is facing a fresh ethics probe over old charges that he sexually harassed a former staffer.
The House Ethics Committee dismissed the complaint in 2015. It’s taking a new look at the case, USA Today reported, now that Farenthold’s $84,000 payout of taxpayer funds to the ex-aide, Lauren Greene, has been revealed.
A former communications director to the Republican on Capitol Hill, Greene accused the congressman and his chief of staff of ‘hostile conduct’ in a 2014 lawsuit in which she also claimed that Farenthold sexually harassed her multiple times.
Two representatives and one senator resigned this week in disgrace as ethics investigations were opened into their alleged misconduct. Farenthold could be the next Member of Congress to go as the net comes down on legislators.
As many as 40 could be exposed in external investigations underway by major news outlets.
Greene sued Farenthold for wrongful termination in 2014 in a case that the lawmaker settled with funds from a federal Office of Compliance account. He says he will pay out of pocket now, but the damage may already have been done.
Yesterday, Congressman Trent Franks, an Arizona Republican, abruptly quit after he learned that he was under investigation for approaching two female staffers about becoming surrogates for a child he and his wife hoped to have.
Senator Al Franken also resigned on Thursday in an unapologetic Senate speech in which he denied allegations of groping but said he’d step down in the coming weeks, anyway.
Earlier this week on Tuesday, Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, the longest-serving member of the House, retired and endorsed his son after former staffers said he behaved inappropriately.
CNN and the Washington Post are said to be conducting through probes of sexual harassment allegations that could lead to bombshell revelations about politicians in both political parties.
The allegations against Farenthold are not new. Greene sued him in open court in 2014. It was the payout that was concealed until Politico brought it to light last week.
According to court documents, Farenthold allegedly told Greene that he was ‘estranged from his wife and had not had sex with her in years,’ while another staffer told her the congressman had ‘sexual fantasies’ and ‘wet dreams’ about her.
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