Kaitlan Collins surprised when Hegseth’s attorney said his accuser ‘is

We support our Publishers and Content Creators. You can view this story on their website by CLICKING HERE.

Pete Hegseth, who was tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Defense, is the victim of a vicious smear campaign that elicits thoughts of how Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was treated by the biased media.

At the center of a host of anonymous allegations about drinking and philandering is a serious claim that Hegseth raped a woman — police investigated what Hegseth insisted was a consensual encounter and opted not to pursue it any further. Hegseth would later agree to a settlement with the woman to keep the matter private.

Attorney Tim Parlatore, who represents Hegseth, appeared on CNN and surprised host Kaitlan Collins when he said the unnamed woman who claimed she was raped by Hegseth is no longer bound by a confidentiality agreement and can speak publicly if she chooses.

(Video Credit: CNN)

“You said that you believed it’s extortion. But of course, as you know, extortion is also a crime,” Collins said. “So, if you felt that it was extortion, why not go to the police at the time?”

“Well, it was a decision that we made,” Parlatore said. “And, the email from the attorney, it was something that I don’t know if it quite rises to the level of a criminal extortion that the police would take it on. But I think it certainly does meet the definition under the California law for civil extortion, and it was something that we were considering at the time. And, you know, quite frankly, with the violation of the agreement, if he is not confirmed as the Secretary of Defense, we may still bring a civil extortion claim against her.”

When asked if Hegseth plans to sue the woman if the nomination fails, his lawyer replied, “Absolutely.”

“If the false claims of somebody that was part of an extortion that was then put out and violation of the settlement agreement ultimately causes him to lose his future employment opportunities, then yes,” he added. “That is something that is worth bringing a lawsuit against her and her friend and potentially even the attorney for her. Yes”

“We’ve heard some people say that she should be released from that nondisclosure agreement that was part of the settlement agreement,” Collins said in a follow-up. “Is there any consideration between you or Mr. Hegseth of doing that?”

Parlatore responded by saying that it was not a nondisclosure agreement, but “a confidential settlement agreement that had confidentiality on both sides.”

“That agreement has since been breached by her. And so as a result, I sent notice to her attorney that that agreement is no longer– has any force in effect. That’s one of the reasons why I can talk about it here because prior to that, the agreement prevented Mr. Hegseth from talking about her conduct,” he explained. “So, there is no NDA to release her from. And if she wants to go and talk about it, she can do it. I mean, certainly, she would do it at her own peril of a further defamation lawsuit.”

“Well, that’s news,” a surprised Collins said. “People have been calling for her to be able to speak, and you’re saying, I mean, you’re his attorney, you’re saying that from the agreement which you negotiated, that she can come out and speak on CNN or wherever she chooses?”

“Of course, of course. However, if she doesn’t tell the truth if she repeats these false statements, then she will be subject to a defamation lawsuit,” Parlatore answered. “But no… and she’s well aware of that. Her attorney was well aware that because of the breach of the agreement, that is no longer in any force in effect, she is free to speak if she wants.”

Senior Staff Writer – [email protected]
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.

Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.