The “privileged environment” that protects a sect of disgraced politicians continues its operation. This disgraced politician had no problem finding a job after being forced to quit for sexual harassment. In fact, he will likely make more than he did in Congress when all the perks are taking into account.
Blake Farenthold, the Republican who was forced to quit for sexual harassment shows that in some circles no misconduct is disqualifying. In fact, being rewarded is the order of the day. And then, of course, this is the same party that wants those who in their down times need a hand up to submit to some moral piety to get it.
The Associated Press reported the following.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Former Republican U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold has accepted a lucrative position lobbying for a port in his ex-Texas district — mere weeks after resigning in disgrace amid fallout from using public funds to settle a past sexual harassment complaint.
The Calhoun Port Authority announced Monday that Farenthold would promote its interests in Washington and assist “in resolving funding issues.”
“Blake has always been a strong supporter of the Calhoun Port Authority and is familiar with the issues facing the port,” it said in a statement. Port Director Charles R. Hausmann said Farenthold’s annual salary will be $160,000.
Let’s remember who Blake Farenthold is.
WE ARE beginning to get a clearer picture of why Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Tex.) suddenly resigned his seat after months of insisting he would complete his term. The House Ethics Committee was about to lay bare some of the sordid details of his misconduct in office. Well, nobody in Washington will miss him, but Mr. Farenthold shouldn’t be allowed to escape his obligation to repay the public the $84,000 he used to secretly settle a sexual harassment lawsuit against him.
Mr. Farenthold, a former conservative radio host serving his fourth term in Congress, abruptly resigned April 6, just days before the House Ethics Committee was set to release findings of its investigation into his conduct. The committee, HuffPost reported, had given him a heads-up it was going to rule against him, setting up a public hearing on allegations that he sexually harassed members of his staff, used official money for campaign purposes and lied in previous testimony to the committee.
And he showed how responsible he is as he refused to pay the state of Texas for the special elections caused by his misdeed even as a gesture of repentance.
Blake Farenthold — a disgraced former Republican Texas congressman who resigned last month — will not fund the special election to replace himself, he wrote in a Wednesday letter to Gov. Greg Abbott.
Abbott, also a Republican, had asked that Farenthold pay for the election, set for June 30, as a form of recompense: Farenthold resigned in April, months after it came to light that he had settled a sexual harassment claim from a former staffer with $84,000 of taxpayer money. The election could cost upwards of $200,000, according to local officials.
And how can we forget that Blake Farenthold with his actions even before he won his seat makes the point that nothing presents a hindrance for any Republican running for office?