We live in ugly times. I am not saying that everything is bad by any means, but in political terms, I cannot remember a time in my life when there has been so much ethical misconduct in politics, especially as it relates to sexual harassment and fraud. Just ask 
Blake Farenthold.
It is very important to also state the obvious: misconduct has stretched across all party lines. The following example is of a Republican, but I am not playing politics. The Democrats have plenty to be ashamed of as well.
Blake Farenthold – Sexual Harassment Complaint
A sexual harassment complaint was settled by Rep. Blake Farenthold’s office in 2014. A female aide complained that Farenthold, a Republican, had committed gender discrimination, sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. In the shadier aspects of the case, the lawmaker apparently told the staffer about his sexual fantasies and various acts he wanted to commit with her. So much for our image of responsible, ethical lawmakers!
The settlement was in the amount of $84,000. The charges and the settlement were bad enough, however the really serious aspect of the case is that an account, funded by taxpayer money, was used to pay off the victim.
The payoff was discovered by the Office of Compliance in answer to an inquiry from House Administration Chair Gregg Harper. The money was paid out in 2013. Interestingly, Farenthold issued a statement to reporters that read as follows:
“While I 100% support more transparency with respect to claims against members of Congress, I can neither confirm nor deny that settlement involved my office as the Congressional Accountability Act prohibits me from answering that question.”
After he released that statement, Farenthold in an attempt to maintain his shaky dignity referred to a press release that had previously come from his office:
“(The) Defendant disagrees strongly with the Plaintiff’s allegations in the Complaint, and Congressman Farenthold adamantly denies that he engaged in any wrongdoing.”
There are numerous cases of sexual harassment pending at this time, and they almost always involve some sort of payment, then resignation or censure, and complete denial.
Who Pays?
What makes this particular scandal so outrageous is not the amount of the settlement nor the severity of the crime, for clearly, we have all seen worse. What should rankle us all is that the politician made an unethical choice, was caught, suffered consequences and now the taxpayers are expected to pay for it. In addition, Congressman Farenthold both maintains his innocence and could care less that he is sticking us with the bill. There is amazing arrogance in his actions and in his refusal to accept responsibility. How many other secret funds have been used across the country to pay for political offences?
In using public funds, Congressman Farenthold is saying he takes no personal responsibility for his actions. The fact that he has hidden behind the Congressional Accountability Act is further proof he feels no remorse. The Congressional Accountability Act should make politicians responsible to the taxpayers not to each other. To me, it is a clear-cut admission of guilt however as the Congressional Accountability Act apparently provides a great smokescreen, we will never fully know what occurred.
Perhaps Congressman Farenthold rationalized his decision because he was, after all, playing with what he perceived as house money; taxpayer money. The fund had no name attached to it, it didn’t say, “Mary Smith’s money or Chuck Gallagher’s money,” it was just an excess pool of money that Congressman Farenthold had at his fingertips.
The crime here cannot be understated. When any of us pays taxes, we at least hope it goes for roads or hurricane relief or a new ship. We don’t fill out our tax forms and submit our checks in the hope it pays off a staffer who has been sexually harassed.
Ethics
It comes down, as it usually does, to a lack of ethics. More importantly, to a lack of ethical training. The American people have relied far too long on ethics committees wrapped in dense bureaucracy. Perhaps it is time for Americans to teach their federal, state and local politicians what we expect. Until that happens, I am fearful of more scandal, disgrace and arrogance. It must end.
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