Police have confirmed that Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for Defense Secretary, was involved in a 2017 sexual assault investigation.

Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and Army National Guard veteran, was nominated on Tuesday to lead the country’s military forces. City officials in Monterey, California issued a statement on Thursday evening confirming his involvement in a sexual assault probe, though they did not reveal many specifics about the incident or the individual who was accused.

According to the police statement, the event took place overnight between October 7-8, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course. The police were notified four days later about the incident.

Details about the victim remain confidential, but the police report indicates that the victim sustained “contusions to (the) right thigh.” The statement confirmed that no weapons were used in the incident.

Fox News has not yet provided a response to YSL News’s request for comment. Attorney Timothy Parlatore, representing Hegseth, mentioned that the police department’s release indicates “there was an allegation that was thoroughly investigated, and Mr. Hegseth was found to have done nothing wrong.”

In a response to YSL News’s inquiry regarding the alleged incident from 2017, the Trump campaign on Friday described the president-elect’s cabinet selections as being “of high caliber.”

“Mr. Hegseth has strongly denied all accusations, and no charges have been filed,” stated Trump transition spokesperson Steven Cheung in an email to YSL News. “We are eager for his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense.”

Who is Pete Hegseth?

Trump’s choice of Hegseth for the Defense Secretary role has surprised many, as Trump broke from the norm of selecting individuals with extensive government backgrounds for this position.

At 44 years old, Hegseth was affiliated with Fox News from 2014 until his recent nomination. He joined the Army ROTC during college and served overseas with the Army National Guard after graduating, as explained in a 2022 article from Reserve + National Guard Magazine.

His plans for leading the Pentagon seem to focus on preventing women from serving in combat roles, dismissing generals who advocate “woke” military practices, and relaxing conduct restrictions for troops in combat.

The Defense Secretary role requires Senate confirmation; however, Trump has suggested the possibility of using “recess appointments” for quicker temporary approval.