Pete Hegseth Demands Release Of Prosecution Memo In Sexual Assault Allegation Case [WATCH]

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary, is demanding that the Monterey County, California district attorney’s office release records related to a 2017 sexual assault allegation against him, claiming that the documents could contain exonerating information.

Hegseth’s legal team believes the records could provide additional evidence that would help clear his name, as some Democrats continue to raise doubts about his innocence.

The legal request, made by Hegseth’s attorney Tim Parlatore, comes amid ongoing discussions about the incident.

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Parlatore’s team is seeking records that may shed light on an earlier allegation of sexual misconduct made by the same woman in a different jurisdiction.

According to Parlatore, credible information suggests that the woman may have made a similar false allegation against another man, and that this could have influenced the decision not to prosecute Hegseth.

He stated, “As part of our investigation, we received credible information indicating that she may have made a similar false allegation against another man in the past, and the DA may have relied upon this as part of their determination, in addition to other witnesses who contradicted her story.”

The Monterey County District Attorney’s office, led by elected District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni, responded to the request on Friday by denying access to the records.

In their reply, the DA’s office cited exemptions under the Public Records Act, stating that the requested documents contained “opinions, conclusions, impressions, legal research and/or legal theories” which are considered core work product and are not subject to public disclosure.

The reply was signed by Pacioni and her chief assistant, Berkley Brannon.

Parlatore, in response, has filed an appeal to challenge the denial, and it remains to be seen whether Senate Republicans, who are set to regain control of the upper chamber in January, may issue a subpoena to obtain the records. Such a move could delay Hegseth’s confirmation process.

Democratic lawmakers have expressed concern about the case, with some questioning whether Hegseth was truly cleared of wrongdoing.

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) voiced her opposition, saying in a CBS News interview, “It’s frankly an insult and really troubling that Mr. Trump would nominate someone who has admitted that he’s paid off a victim who has claimed rape allegations against him.”

Tammy Duckworth: “It’s frankly an insult and really troubling that Mr. Trump would nominate someone who has admitted he paid off a victim who has claimed rape allegations against him. This is not the kind of person you want to lead the Department of Defense.” pic.twitter.com/rWmG7c0NkR

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 24, 2024

Similarly, Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) commented on MSNBC, stating, “As a former federal prosecutor, I can tell you that there’s a difference between not bringing charges and fully clearing someone — and he is in no way been fully cleared.”

The police report released last week revealed that several key details contradicted the accuser’s story.

Specifically, hotel security footage and witness testimony indicated that the woman did not appear to be intoxicated prior to the alleged incident.

The accuser had claimed that she couldn’t remember going to Hegseth’s hotel room, stating that “things got fuzzy” after drinking with him at the hotel bar.

However, security footage showed that the woman was walking steadily and smiling as she left the bar with Hegseth.

Kavanaugh 2.0: The great Megyn Kelly goes point-by-point shutting down the left’s smear campaign against President Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth.

You won’t see anyone in MSM lay out the facts like this.

WATCH. pic.twitter.com/gI8l0VlTZW

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) November 22, 2024

Witnesses, including hotel staff, confirmed that she appeared to be sober and coherent.

A hotel employee reported that there was a disturbance near the pool after Hegseth and the woman left the bar, but noted that the woman was not intoxicated and seemed to be escorting Hegseth toward his hotel room.

The police report also revealed an interaction between Hegseth and a hotel employee, where the deputy overheard Hegseth defending his actions, saying, “I have freedom of speech.”

The woman, referred to as “Jane Doe” in the report, intervened and apologized for Hegseth’s actions.

Witnesses described her as being in control of the situation and not showing signs of intoxication.

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