ETHICS/POLITICS: “The House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into Rep. Blake Farenthold over allegations that he sexually harassed a former aide and then retaliated against her when she complained about it.
The committee said new evidence in the matter, which was first reviewed in 2015, warranted an investigation. Earlier Thursday [12-7-17], the panel said it was seeking an interview with Lauren Greene, the former aide who says she was sexually harassed by the Texas Republican.
Greene received an $84,000, taxpayer-funded settlement after she sued Farenthold in December 2014 over allegations of gender discrimination, sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
Even though the Office of Congressional Ethics cleared Farenthold, the Ethics Committee has continued to look into the matter…
The ethics panel had reached out to interview Greene more than a year ago. But Greene, who has tried to move on with her life since leaving Farenthold’s office, declined to participate, hoping to put the matter behind her.
However, after Greene spoke with POLITICO and CNN this week about being blackballed following her allegations, the Ethics Committee reached out again…
Farenthold’s spokeswoman said he has voluntarily testified before Ethics and OCE.”
-Rachel Bade and John Bresnahan, “Ethics Committee launches investigation into Farenthold sexual harassment allegations,” Politico, Dec. 7, 2017 07:14pm