A woman accused Donald Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, of sexually assaulting her in 2017 in a hotel room, according to newly released police documents obtained by USA TODAY. The woman reported that Hegseth prevented her from leaving, swiped away her phone, and blocked the door with his body. The incident occurred after a California event where Hegseth spoke. The woman visited a sexual assault nurse four days later and reported that she had been drinking champagne and believed something had been slipped into her drink. She remembered being in a hotel room with Hegseth on top of her but was unsure if she was sexually assaulted. Hegseth denied the allegations of rape and stated that the encounter was consensual, confirming that he ejaculated on the woman’s stomach. Police conducted an investigation and forwarded it to the district attorney’s office for charging consideration, but no charges were filed against Hegseth. The police report was released after Hegseth requested it in 2021 and was made public due to a legal loophole. Hegseth and his attorney maintain his innocence, despite reports of a financial settlement being paid as a result of the case.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com
