A woman from California reported to police that Pete Hegseth, a prominent figure in the Trump administration, physically prevented her from leaving a hotel room, seized her phone, and se*xually assaulted her, despite her repeated protests.
The police report, which CNN obtained, details the conflicting stories of that night, shedding light on the differing accounts of both Hegseth and the woman, including discrepancies about their levels of intoxication and surveillance footage showing some of their movements.
The 22-page report, made public by Monterey’s city attorney’s office following a records request, outlines the tension between the two narratives—Hegseth claims their encounter was consensual, while the woman insists she did not consent.
A California woman accuses Pete Hegseth of assault
Hegseth stated that he frequently checked if the woman was at ease with their interactions, but the details surrounding the incident remain unclear, especially with different recollections from witnesses.
After several years, the controversy surrounding the event could pose a challenge to Hegseth’s nomination as Secretary of Defense, potentially becoming a focal point during his confirmation hearings. Despite this, no criminal charges were filed against Hegseth.
His lawyer has confirmed that a settlement was reached with the accuser, including financial compensation and a confidentiality agreement. While Hegseth maintains the encounter was consensual, his attorney mentioned the fear of an accusation emerging during the #MeToo movement, which could have jeopardized his position at Fox News.
Hegseth’s legal representative, Timothy Parlatore, rejected the notion of any wrongdoing, claiming that police found no substantiated evidence against Hegseth and dismissed the allegations.
However, the police report does not outright state that the allegations were proven false. A spokeswoman for Trump’s transition team echoed this sentiment, asserting that police had dismissed the accusations and lauding Hegseth as a respected military figure who would serve honorably in his role.
The woman, who has not commented publicly on the matter since the report surfaced, became visibly emotional when reporters inquired about the assault. The police report revealed that the alleged incident occurred on October 8, 2017, following a speech Hegseth gave at a Republican Women’s conference at a Monterey hotel.
Although the city had initially only shared limited details of the investigation, it later disclosed a redacted version of the report, citing prior sharing of the document with Hegseth in 2021. Interviews conducted by the police with Hegseth, the woman (referred to as Jane Doe), conference participants, and hotel staff painted differing pictures of the events leading up to the alleged assault.
While video footage was referenced, it was not made public, and the exact reasons for Hegseth not being charged remain unclear. The Monterey County District Attorney’s office declined to press charges in 2018, citing insufficient evidence to support the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
The woman’s account, which was shared in a memo to the Trump transition team, described her unease with Hegseth’s behavior earlier in the evening, noting that she felt uncomfortable with his actions and had expressed concern about his conduct.
Police reports indicated she suspected her drink may have been tampered with after she struggled to recall many details of the night. Surveillance footage from around 1:15 a.m. showed the pair walking together, arms linked, leaving the bar and heading toward the hotel pool, where an argument ensued.
Following their argument, the woman claimed that she had no memory of the events that followed but later recalled being in Hegseth’s hotel room. She described attempting to leave but being physically blocked by Hegseth, who had taken her phone and prevented her from exiting.
She recalled repeatedly saying “no,” though much of the incident was a blur. Her memory of the encounter was fragmented, with some parts returning as she recounted the alleged assault to police.
Hegseth, on the other hand, insisted the encounter was entirely consensual. He admitted to being intoxicated but said he and the woman engaged in se*xual activity after clear communication and mutual agreement.
He stated that when they later discussed the events, the woman showed signs of regret, though the specifics were vague. Hegseth’s version of the events portrays a stark contrast to the woman’s narrative, and the investigation did not lead to criminal charges, leaving the case unresolved.
