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President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of defense secretary Pete Hegseth made money for a woman. accused him of sexual assault In a settlement agreement that included a confidentiality clause, according to Hegseth’s attorney.

Attorney Timothy Parlatore said Hegseth denied attacking the woman and described the October 2017 incident in Monterey, California, as “consensual sexual intercourse.”

Monterey city officials confirmed last week that local police were investigating an “alleged sexual assault” involving Hegseth. The city declined to release information about the victim and said it would not release the full police report or comment further on the investigation, citing the state’s public records law.

Hegseth has not been charged in any criminal case or named as a defendant in any civil case related to the incident.

Parlatore said in a statement to CNN that Hegseth learned in 2020 that the woman was considering filing a lawsuit.

Parlatore said the payment to the married woman was at a “significantly reduced amount” and that Hegseth, a former Fox News host, made the deal because it was during the “Me Too” movement and she did not want to lose her job at the company. network if the accusation is made public.

Parlatore said Hegseth felt he was the victim of blackmail.

CNN spoke briefly with Hegseth’s accuser on Thursday. He was visibly distraught when Hegseth’s name was mentioned but refused to be interviewed without first contacting his lawyer. He said he didn’t know what he was authorized to say.

The woman, who CNN is not naming because of her alleged sexual assault victim, did not respond to subsequent interview requests.

Read more about Past allegations against Trump’s choice of defense secretary Here.