Rep. Farenthold resigns amid scandal

WASHINGTON — Rep. Blake Farenthold, the Texas Republican accused of sexual harassment in a suit that led to an $84,000 taxpayer settlement to a former aide, has resigned after insisting for months that he would serve out his current term in Congress.

Farenthold’s decision was announced shortly before it became official Friday, on the final day of the twoweek congressional spring break.

“While I planned on serving out the remainder of my term in Congress, I know in my heart it’s time for me to move along and look for new ways to serve,” the Corpus Christi representative wrote.

“Therefore, I sent a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott today resigning from the House of Representatives effective at 5 p.m. today.”

Late last year, when Farenthold said he would not seek reelection to a fifth term, he also pledged to repay the settlement made to his former communications director, Lauren Greene.

In the months since, however, Farenthold has backed away from his promise to pay back the settlement money.

Asked Friday about the status of his intention to repay taxpayers, an aide did not reply.

Greene sued Farenthold in 2014, alleging sexual harassment and gender discrimination. The parties settled, but the terms were not known until Politico reported the $84,000 payment last year.

Greene said that when she complained about inappropriate comments made to her by Farenthold or relayed through an aide, she was fired.

In his resignation announcement, Farenthold made no mention of the accusations against him, but said that he would be “able to look back at the entirety of [his] career in public office and say that it was well worthwhile.”

The accusations against him surfaced in the midst of a national explosion in sexual harassment accusations that claimed the careers of two prominent Democrats, Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota and Rep. John Conyers Jr. of Michigan, as well as Republican Reps. Trent Franks of Arizona and Patrick Meehan of Pennsylvania.

Another Democrat accused by an aide of untoward behavior, Rep. Ruben Kihuen of Nevada, has remained in office but said in December he would not run for reelection.