The resignation of Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, from Congress last Friday is something of a mixed bag. While resignation is a fitting punishment for a man who used $84,000 of taxpayer money to settle a credible sexual harassment complaint, the move also allows Farenthold to avoid an ethics probe and more easily renege on his pledge to pay back the settlement.
After Politico reported the terms of the settlement late last year, the Texas Republican denied charges of wrongdoing, pledged to return the money soon, and announced he would retire at the end of his term — but he also refused to resign, even amid pressure from House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and even though he had apologized for fostering an unprofessional workplace.
As the media’s attention waned, and with the threat of a re-election battle eliminated, Farenthold seemed much less committed to paying the money back.
As time went by without any indication the congressman had cut a check, his office claimed for months that Farenthold was waiting on the Senate to pass a version of the Congressional Accountability Act before taking action. Ryan and National Republican Congressional Committee chairman Steve Stivers, R-Ohio, publicly called on him to make good on his pledge in statements last Friday.
And don’t forget the congressman has since December been under an investigation by the House Ethics Committee, which was probing additional allegations that Farenthold “made false statements or omissions in testimony” and inappropriately used congressional resources for campaign purposes. That investigation conveniently ended along with his career in Congress last week.
Farenthold has effectively run out the clock. Given all the effort he’s put into avoiding fulfillment of his own commitment so far, taxpayers shouldn’t hold their breath waiting for him to pay back the settlement. If he didn’t return the cash as a congressman, odds are he won’t be doing it as a private citizen.
Good riddance to a man who rode the Tea Party wave straight into the swamp.
