Donors Paid GOP Speaker's Sex Harassment Settlement: Staffer

FRANKFORT, KY — Last month, Republican Jeff Hoover resigned his leadership role as Kentucky House Speaker after acknowledging he settled a sexual harassment claim. Now, a spokeswoman for the Kentucky House Republicans says he had a sexual relationship with a woman in his office and used money from political donors to help pay her a secret settlement outside of court.

Hoover acknowledged he sent inappropriate text messages, but said they were consensual. He also flatly denied having a sexual relationship with the woman. He didn't immediately return messages for comment Monday.

Daisy Olivo, the communications director for the House Republican caucus, filed a lawsuit Monday alleging she was retaliated against for reporting official misconduct. Olivo said she reprimanded the woman several times for what she called a consensual but inappropriate relationship.

Olivo said Hoover's chief of staff tried to fire the woman. When Olivo objected, she said, she was subject to retaliation.

To read the lawsuit, click here.

Photo credit: Adam Beam/Associated Press