Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) released a statement intended to explain away allegations of sexual assault against him from 2008 that have surfaced in the wake of the numerous sexual harassment revelations in Hollywood and other industries.
What does his statement say?
The statement was a joint release by Green and the woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2008, Lucinda Davis.
"In the present climate, we wish to jointly quiet any curious minds about our former and present relationship with one another," the statement read. "We are friends, and have long been friends. At an unfortunate time in our lives, when both of our feelings were hurt, we hastily made allegations and charges against one another that have been absolutely resolved.
"As consenting friends, we both regret our former claims and have since then maintained our respectful friendship. We are friends," they reiterated.
"This matter has been resolved without payment of any money or transfer of any consideration of any kind by either of us to the other. As friends, we have both agreed that we see no need to make further statements regarding this absolutely revolved matter," it concluded.
Why did he release the statement?
Green referred to the "current climate," which includes the public outcry over the revelation of a Congressional slush fund that has been used by some members of Congress to pay off accusers of sexual harassment and keep the claims out of the headlines.
Why were the allegations dropped?
According to their statement in 2008, the accusations were a misunderstanding and they had come to a mutual agreement over them that didn't include a monetary settlement.
Bill Miller, a spokesman for the congressman, said although Green and the former employee had a "romantic encounter" at her home in May 2007, the claim of sexual assault, which came 18 months after the fact, was desperate and totally false.
Rep. Al Green had made headlines recently for calling for the impeachment of President Trump, something many Democrats believe is premature.
