(PatriotNews.net) – Former Texas Congressman Blake Farenthold, who used $84,000 in taxpayer funds to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit, has died at 63 after years of refusing to repay the money that sparked his political downfall.
Key Takeaways
- Blake Farenthold died on June 20, 2025, at age 63 from a heart attack after battling chronic liver disease
- He resigned from Congress in 2018 amid a sexual harassment scandal after using $84,000 in taxpayer money to settle claims from a former staffer
- Despite initially promising to reimburse taxpayers for the settlement, Farenthold later refused to honor that commitment
- The House Ethics Committee was investigating multiple allegations against him when he abruptly resigned
- Before the scandal, Farenthold was known for securing infrastructure funding for his Texas district, including port development projects
From Tea Party Darling to Disgraced Congressman
Blake Farenthold, once celebrated as a Tea Party success story after his surprise 2010 victory over long-serving Democrat Solomon Ortiz, ended his career in disgrace and his life in declining health. The four-term Republican congressman from Texas’s 27th district died on June 20, 2025, following a heart attack complicated by chronic liver disease. His political career, which began with promise as part of the 2010 Republican wave, ended in scandal when revelations emerged that he had used taxpayer money to settle sexual harassment claims against him.
Before the controversy that would define his legacy, Farenthold had positioned himself as a champion for South Texas infrastructure. He secured critical federal funding for the Port of Corpus Christi’s channel deepening project, which colleagues described as transformative for regional commerce. Serving on the House Oversight, Judiciary, and Transportation committees, he maintained strong conservative credentials while delivering tangible results to his coastal Texas district. However, these accomplishments would ultimately be overshadowed by workplace misconduct allegations that ended his political career.
Taxpayer-Funded Sexual Harassment Settlement
The beginning of Farenthold’s downfall came in 2014 when his former communications director, Lauren Greene, filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and creating a hostile work environment. According to court documents, Greene claimed Farenthold told her he had “sexual fantasies” and “wet dreams” about her. She further alleged that the congressman engaged in excessive drinking and made inappropriate comments that created an uncomfortable workplace atmosphere. When Greene complained about this behavior, she claims she was fired in retaliation.
What particularly outraged taxpayers was the revelation that Farenthold had used $84,000 in public funds to settle the case quietly in 2015. This payment came from the Congressional Office of Compliance, through a secretive process many Americans didn’t even know existed until the scandal broke. The settlement remained hidden from public view until December 2017, when the #MeToo movement was gaining momentum and bringing increased scrutiny to powerful men accused of sexual misconduct across industries, including politics.
Broken Promises and Hasty Resignation
When the settlement became public knowledge in late 2017, Farenthold initially attempted damage control by promising to reimburse taxpayers for the $84,000 payment. “I’m going to hand a check over this week,” he told a Texas television station in December 2017. This pledge, however, proved empty. Despite earning a congressional salary of $174,000 annually, Farenthold later reneged on his promise, refusing to repay the settlement funds even after leaving office and securing new employment as a lobbyist for the Port of Port Lavaca.
“I want to be clear that I didn’t do anything wrong, but I also don’t want the taxpayers to be on the hook for this,” Farenthold said when first promising to repay the money—a commitment he would never fulfill. His refusal to honor this pledge only intensified public criticism of his conduct and character, particularly among fiscal conservatives who had once supported him.
Ethics Investigation and Abrupt Departure
As public outrage grew, the House Ethics Committee launched a formal investigation in December 2017, citing “substantial reason to believe” the allegations against Farenthold. The committee expanded its inquiry beyond the original lawsuit to examine whether Farenthold had used official resources for campaign activities and lied in testimony to the committee. With the walls closing in, Farenthold announced he would not seek reelection in 2018, but pressure continued to mount for his immediate resignation.
In a move widely seen as an attempt to avoid the Ethics Committee’s findings, Farenthold abruptly resigned on April 6, 2018. His resignation came just as the committee was preparing to release its report, effectively ending their jurisdiction over him. This timing allowed Farenthold to escape formal congressional censure and potentially more damaging revelations about his conduct in office. The tactical resignation further frustrated those seeking accountability for his actions and use of taxpayer funds.
Life After Congress and Legacy
After leaving Congress under a cloud of scandal, Farenthold returned to Corpus Christi and briefly worked as a lobbyist before returning to his pre-political career as a conservative radio host. Despite the controversy that ended his political career, he maintained support among some constituents who focused on his legislative accomplishments rather than his personal conduct. In his final years, he battled chronic health issues, including the heart and liver disease that would ultimately claim his life at age 63.
Farenthold’s legacy remains complicated. While he secured important infrastructure funding for his district, his refusal to repay taxpayer money used for his personal misconduct settlement and his hasty resignation to avoid ethics findings tarnished his reputation. His case also helped expose the secretive congressional system that allowed lawmakers to use public funds to settle harassment claims without disclosure—a practice that has since been reformed following public outrage over cases like his.
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