Dec 14, 2017 - Politics & Policy

Farenthold faces new allegations from male staffer

Texas Rep. Blake Farenthold. Photo: Jacquelyn Martin / AP

A former communications director for Rep. Blake Farenthold told CNN that the Texas congressman's office was such "an intensely hostile environment" that he was "[driven]...to physical and emotional distress."

Why it matters: The House Ethics Committee is already investigating Farenthold for separate sexual harassment allegations, which were reportedly settled by the Office of Congressional Ethics in 2014 for $84,000. Rekola shared his allegations with the office of Rep. Susan Brooks, the chairwoman of the committee.

  • In 2015, when the former staffer, Michael Rekola, was about to leave town for his wedding, Farenthold told him: "Better have your fiancee blow you before she walks down the aisle — it will be the last time."
  • Rekola said he was "disgusted," and gave his two weeks notice upon returning from the wedding. Farenthold denied making the comment.
  • Rekola told CNN that Farenthold called him a "f---tard," and another staffer confirmed that he regularly referred to aides that way. Farenthold told CNN he called aides that it "in jest," but that in hindsight, "it wasn't appropriate."

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