Name: Blake Farenthold
Age:
Role: U.S. Congressman (R-Tx), leads the House Oversight subcommittee on the interior, energy and environment
Accusations: A former employee has accused Farenthold of sexually harassing her, and then retaliating against her when she filed a complaint about his behavior. He settled her claim for $84,000, a sum that was paid out of taxpayer funds. It was one of 6 settlements of various kinds paid out by the Congressman since 2013.
Consequences for his actions: The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into Farenthold’s behavior. Farenthold not seek reelection. Read the House Ethics Committee’s statement.
Farenthold’s Response: Insists that he’s done nothing wrong.
Plaintiff Lauren Green’s original complaint: http://pdfserver.amlaw.com/nlj/farenthold_complaint_20141212.pdf
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/21/blake-farenthold-ethics-probe-313642
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“Representative Blake Farenthold, Republican of Texas, used $84,000 in taxpayer funds to settle a sexual harassment claim, one of six settlements for workplace issues ranging from veteran status discrimination to age bias that were paid out by a secretive congressional office since 2013. The six settlements for malfeasance in House offices totaled $359,450.”
Taxpayers paid $84,000 to end Sex Harassment Claim Against Texas Lawmaker, The New York Times by Yamiche Alcindor and Gay Stolberg, Dec 1, 2017
Lauren Greene, Farenthold’s former communications director
In 2014, the congressman’s former communications director, Lauren Greene, accused him of regularly making comments to gauge her interest in a sexual relationship, including saying he was having “sexual fantasies” about her. Ms. Greene accused Mr. Farenthold and his chief of staff, Bob Haueter, of retaliating after she complained about a hostile work environment.
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