Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, has paid an undisclosed settlement to a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017, his lawyer confirmed Sunday. Timothy Parlatore, Hegseth’s attorney, said the payment was part of a confidential civil settlement and reiterated his client’s innocence, calling the encounter consensual.

The allegation, stemming from a conference in California, resurfaced in a memo sent to Trump’s transition team. Parlatore denied the claims, accusing the woman of making up the story under pressure from her husband and calling Hegseth the victim of extortion. Authorities investigated the case in 2017 but did not file charges.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., voiced cautious support for Hegseth, calling him “a good choice” but stressing the importance of Senate review during the confirmation process. Hegseth’s nomination faces increasing scrutiny as the Senate prepares to deliberate.

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