A Texas congressman has become the center of controversy after a report revealed that he used taxpayer dollars to settle a sexual harassment complaint.
Congressman Blake Farenthold (R-Corpus Christi) was revealed to have used taxpayer dollars to settle a sexual harassment claim that was made against him in 2014. According to a report from Politico, the Office of Compliance paid an $84,000 settlement to Farenthold's former communications director after she sued Farenthold, alleging gender discrimination, sexual harassment and a hostile work environment.
Farenthold told KRIS-TV on Monday that he plans to take out a personal loan to pay back the settlement paid by the Office of Compliance.
"I want to be clear that I didn't do anything wrong, but I also don't want taxpayers to be on the hook for this," Farenthold said.
The congressman said that he will present a check to U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) later this week.
The report on Farenthold's settlement comes following a report this week that members of congress have settle complaints using the Office of Compliance since 1997. Politico reports that the total of payments in settlements is around $17 million.
