WASHINGTON, Nov 16, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - One of Donald Trump's most controversial
cabinet picks just became even more so: Pete Hegseth, tapped for defense
secretary earlier this week, was accused of sexual assault in 2017, according
to police.

No charges were filed in the case, but shocked Trump transition team
officials are nonetheless reportedly weighing next steps for the Fox News
host, whose nomination took many in Washington by surprise.

President-elect Trump nominated the 44-year-old National Guard veteran on
Tuesday to run the world's most powerful military, despite having never
managed a large organization.

Police in Monterey, California confirmed Thursday that they had investigated
"an alleged sexual assault" at a hotel involving Hegseth that included
bruising to the victim's right thigh, in early October 2017.

News of the woman's accusations caught the Trump team off guard, according to
Vanity Fair, which first reported the story.

Hegseth's lawyer Timothy Parlatore told the publication that the allegation
"was already investigated by the Monterey police department and they found no
evidence for it."

And Trump's communications director Steven Cheung said that Hegseth "has
vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed.

"We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so
he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again," Cheung
said.

Hegseth's hearing in the Senate is likely to be among the more fraught, not
only due to his lack of experience but also other controversies, such as his
lobbying of Trump during his first term to pardon service members accused of
war crimes.

Hegseth joined Fox News as a contributor in 2014 and now co-hosts "Fox and
Friends Weekend" and serves as a host for "Fox Nation."

He additionally served as an infantry officer in the National Guard,
deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The accusations against Hegseth come as Trump's pick for attorney general,
far-right former congressman Matt Gaetz, stunned many following his lengthy
embroilment in sexual misconduct allegations.

And Trump himself was convicted of financial wrongdoing for covering up
payments to a former porn star and found liable for defaming and sexually
abusing an author.

Hegseth has been married three times, divorcing his first wife in 2009
following an "irretrievable breakdown" and "infidelity," according to the
Washington Post.

His second wife filed for divorce in September 2017, one month after he had a
baby with a Fox News producer whom he subsequently married, according to US
media.