The alleged sex scandal involving Democratic Rep. Katie Hill (CA) worsened on Tuesday after RedState — which published the initial story documenting the explosive allegations — released a new report on the scandal which raises questions about possible abuse by Hill toward the young female campaign staffer with whom she was allegedly having a sexual relationship. The new report also raises questions about the staffer’s ability to give consent in the alleged relationship.
RedState reports:
In the age of #MeToo, activists contend that when a large power imbalance exists, such as between a CEO and an employee, the employee is incapable of giving consent. Even assuming that true consent existed at the beginning of the relationship, the power imbalance could keep an employee in a bad relationship for fear that they will lose their job or suffer other negative consequences.
In the case of the Hill throuple, text messages between Kenny Heslep [Hill’s husband] and Hill’s staffer from June 2019 depict an unhealthy, toxic relationship – Heslep even characterizes the way in which he and Hill treated the staffer as “abusive” as he apologizes for hurting her.
RedState’s Jennifer Van Laar exclusively reported on Friday that Hill was involved in a “throuple” relationship involving her then-husband and a young female campaign staffer.
RedState released blurred photos allegedly showing the explicit sexual contact between Hill and the young staffer.
The young female campaign staffer, who described the relationship as being “toxic,” reportedly wrote Hill a message in June 2019, saying in part: “I am terrified of pushing back against you or upsetting you. I have seen how you treat Kenny and I think that if I cause any issues, even if I am very worried about how you are acting, that very quickly you will decide you don’t want me in your life.”
In a message to Heslep, the staffer reportedly said: “Idk, I was getting ready and I was thinking about how much Katie liked to watch me [reference to a hobby]…It’s ok, she can’t take [this] from me. She can ruin politics, take all my friends, and isolate me, but she can’t have [this].”
RedState added:
The staffer continued her work on the campaign side despite the awkwardness and emotional distress it caused. Hill, however, seemed tone-deaf, asking her former lover to apply sunscreen on her prior to an event – in front of the rest of the staff. The young woman later texted Hill to express her displeasure.
A Congressional GOP source told The Daily Wire: “The mainstream media has a blackout on this story, which is amusing.”
“The press typically loves politicians embroiled in sex scandals,” the source added. “But the perpetrator is a Democrat in a swing district, so the press will pretend like there’s nothing to see here.”
In RedState’s initial report, the publication reported on allegations that Hill was having an affair with her legislative director, Graham Kelly.
Roll Call reported in February 2018 that the then-Republican House majority passed new rules prohibiting sexual relationships between members of Congress and their congressional offices.
Roll Call reported:
In the wake of high-profile resignations over sexual harassment claims, the House on Tuesday approved sweeping changes to its internal rules intended to protect staffers, including a prohibition on sexual relationships between members and their aides.
“If Congresswoman Hill is engaged in a romantic relationship with one of her paid staffers, that is a clear-cut ethics violation,” a senior congressional staffer told Breitbart News. “These rules are in place to ensure Congress is a workplace free from abuse and sexual misconduct. The reports paint a troubling pattern that deserve a full investigation.”
Hill’s only response to this scandal came today in a Politico article where she portrayed herself as being the victim of the entire ordeal.
“The fact is I am going through a divorce from an abusive husband who seems determined to try to humiliate me,” Hill said. “I am disgusted that my opponents would seek to exploit such a private matter for political gain. This coordinated effort to try to destroy me and people close to me is despicable and will not succeed. I, like many women who have faced attacks like this before, am stronger than those who want me to be afraid.”