An attorney for Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s appointee for Secretary of Defense, stated that Hegseth settled with a woman who accused him of sexual assault back in 2017. The attorney claimed that this decision was made to avoid jeopardizing Hegseth’s position at Fox News, as reported by various sources.

Hegseth has refuted the sexual assault allegation and was not charged in connection with the incident. According to his attorney, the payment to the woman was part of a settlement arrangement which included a confidentiality clause, following her threat of legal action in 2020.

He is one of several contentious nominees that Trump has put forward for significant roles in his second term. Hegseth has drawn scrutiny for his polarizing opinions on women’s roles in combat, military diversity, criticism of military leadership, and his limited experience in senior governmental or national security roles.

At 44 years old, Hegseth was with Fox News from 2014 until his departure following his nomination announcement. He participated in the Army ROTC during his college years and subsequently served overseas with the Army National Guard, including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Trump, who faced civil liability last year for sexual abuse and defamation against writer E. Jean Carroll, continues to support Hegseth despite the sexual assault allegations that have emerged.

“Mr. Hegseth has strongly denied any accusations made against him and no charges have been filed,” stated Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump transition team, to YSL News last week. “We anticipate his confirmation as the Secretary of Defense of the United States.”

Officials in Monterey, California, issued a statement on Thursday acknowledging Hegseth’s involvement in an investigation concerning alleged sexual assault, but they did not provide any detailed information regarding the incident or the individuals involved.

The police report indicated that the alleged incident occurred overnight between October 7 and 8, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa, and the report was filed with authorities four days post-incident.

A friend of the woman who accuses Hegseth provided a four-page memo to the Trump transition team outlining the claims made against him.

This memo, acquired by the Washington Post and corroborated by other reports, details that the woman, 30, was attending a California Federation of Republican Women event where Hegseth was a speaker. She was at the hotel with her husband and children, tasked with escorting Hegseth back to his room after his presentation and ensuring he made it to the airport the following day.

The alleged victim’s recollection of the events is described as “hazy” in the memo. However, she reportedly experienced a “hazy memory” of a rape incident the following day, which triggered a panic attack. She subsequently sought medical attention at an emergency room.

Hegseth’s attorney, Timothy Parlatore, asserted in a statement to YSL News on Sunday that “Mr. Hegseth is totally innocent.”

Parlatore claimed that a police inquiry concluded that the woman was the aggressor in the situation and had subsequently attempted to extort Hegseth, but he did not elaborate on why Hegseth opted for a financial settlement.