Farenthold retiring from House amid harassment accusations
Blake Farenthold
WASHINGTON (AP) â  Texas Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold  announced Thursday that  he  won't seek re-election next year  adding  his  name to the list of lawmakers leaving Congress amid sexual harassment allegations that have cost powerful men their jobs in politics  the arts and other industries.
In a five-minute video on  his  campaign's Facebook page   Farenthold  denied a former aide's three-year-old accusations  which included that  he 'd subjected  her  to sexually suggestive comments and behavior and then fired  her  after  she  complained. But  he  apologized for an office atmosphere  he  said included "destructive gossip  offhand comments  off-color jokes and behavior that in general was less than professional."
House Speaker Paul Ryan  R-Wis.  told reporters  he 'd spoken twice to the Texan on Wednesday and suggested there were additional accusations that had yet to surface.
"Unacceptable behavior has been alleged in those stories  and I think  he 's made the right decision that  he 's going to be leaving Congress and that reflects some of the conversations we've had " Ryan said.
 Farenthold 's decision comes as congressional leaders have shown little desire for lawmakers facing credible harassment allegations to remain in Congress as 2018 elections roll into view.
Democrats had criticized Ryan for not forcing  Farenthold  out sooner. But Republicans cited a recommendation by the independent Office of Congressional Ethics that the House Ethics Committee dismiss the allegations.
"There is not substantial reason to believe that  Representative Farenthold  sexually harassed or discriminated against complainant " the office had said.
 Farenthold   a seven-year House veteran  had said he'd engaged in no wrongdoing when he settled the case in 2015. But after congressional sources said he'd paid the $84 000 settlement using taxpayers' money  the House Ethics Committee said last week it would investigate him and public focus intensified  even though he said he'd reimburse the Treasury Department.
 Rep. Blake Farenthold  R-Texas   arrives for a House Committee on the Judiciary oversight hearing on Capitol Hill  Wednesday  Dec. 13  2017  in Washington. Two Republicans say that  Texas GOP Rep. Blake Farenthold  won't seek re-election next year.  The lawmaker  is under pressure from sexual misconduct allegations that surfaced three years ago but have come under renewed focus. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
In his video   Farenthold  said if he stayed in Congress  he'd have to spend months trying to vindicate himself.
The lawsuit by former  Farenthold  aide Lauren Greene alleged that the congressman had discussed his sexual fantasies about her and said at a staff meeting that a lobbyist had propositioned him for a threesome. It accused  Farenthold  of repeatedly complimenting her appearance  then joking that he hoped the comments wouldn't be construed as sexual harassment.
Five Republicans filed to challenge  Farenthold  in Texas' March 6 Republican primary even before he resigned.
 Farenthold  upset long-serving Democratic U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz during the tea party wave of 2010  but  the district  has since been redrawn to make  it  more reliably Republican. That included removing many areas along the Texas-Mexico border which had favored Democrats.
WASHINGTON (AP) â   [TGT] announced Thursday that   [TGT]   won't seek re-election next year  adding   [TGT]   name to the list of lawmakers leaving Congress amid sexual harassment allegations that have cost powerful men their jobs in politics  the arts and other industries.
In a five-minute video on   [TGT]   campaign's Facebook page    [TGT] denied a former aide's three-year-old accusations  which included that   [TGT]  'd subjected   [TGT]   to sexually suggestive comments and behavior and then fired   [TGT]   after   [TGT]   complained. But   [TGT]   apologized for an office atmosphere   [TGT]   said included "destructive gossip  offhand comments  off-color jokes and behavior that in general was less than professional."
House Speaker Paul Ryan  R-Wis.  told reporters  he 'd spoken twice to the Texan on Wednesday and suggested there were additional accusations that had yet to surface.
"Unacceptable behavior has been alleged in those stories  and I think  he 's made the right decision that  he 's going to be leaving Congress and that reflects some of the conversations we've had " Ryan said.
 Farenthold 's decision comes as congressional leaders have shown little desire for lawmakers facing credible harassment allegations to remain in Congress as 2018 elections roll into view.
Democrats had criticized Ryan for not forcing  Farenthold  out sooner. But Republicans cited a recommendation by the independent Office of Congressional Ethics that the House Ethics Committee dismiss the allegations.
"There is not substantial reason to believe that  Representative Farenthold  sexually harassed or discriminated against complainant " the office had said.
 Farenthold   a seven-year House veteran  had said he'd engaged in no wrongdoing when he settled the case in 2015. But after congressional sources said he'd paid the $84 000 settlement using taxpayers' money  the House Ethics Committee said last week it would investigate him and public focus intensified  even though he said he'd reimburse the Treasury Department.
 Rep. Blake Farenthold  R-Texas   arrives for a House Committee on the Judiciary oversight hearing on Capitol Hill  Wednesday  Dec. 13  2017  in Washington. Two Republicans say that  Texas GOP Rep. Blake Farenthold  won't seek re-election next year.  The lawmaker  is under pressure from sexual misconduct allegations that surfaced three years ago but have come under renewed focus. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
In his video   Farenthold  said if he stayed in Congress  he'd have to spend months trying to vindicate himself.
The lawsuit by former  Farenthold  aide Lauren Greene alleged that the congressman had discussed his sexual fantasies about her and said at a staff meeting that a lobbyist had propositioned him for a threesome. It accused  Farenthold  of repeatedly complimenting her appearance  then joking that he hoped the comments wouldn't be construed as sexual harassment.
Five Republicans filed to challenge  Farenthold  in Texas' March 6 Republican primary even before he resigned.
 Farenthold  upset long-serving Democratic U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz during the tea party wave of 2010  but  the district  has since been redrawn to make  it  more reliably Republican. That included removing many areas along the Texas-Mexico border which had favored Democrats.