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Congressman Farenthold calls it quits

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Congressman Blake Farenthold will withdraw from the 2018 Texas 27th Congressional District race but, Farenthold is expected to finish his term. Newscenter 25 is working to get more details from the Farenthold camp. But you may remember the Congressman spoke to constituents via Skype on Wednesday saying, "I just want to let everyone know, I absolutely did not engage in any improper conduct. I was investigated by the office of congressional ethics, and they found 6-0, there wasn't enough effort ," said Farenthold.

A former senior aide to Rep. Blake Farenthold has approached the House Ethics Committee to share a damning account of working for the Texas Republican, with the intent of describing the congressman as verbally abusive and sexually demeaning.
Our Adrianna Garcia attended the Skype conference call with Congressman Blake Farenthold on Wednesday. The Victoria Chamber of Commerce held a the call with Congressman Blake Farenthold at the Emerging Technology Complex. The congressman gave an update on what is going on at the capitol including the tax reform bill.

"The house passed a version. The senate passed a version. Now just like we learned in School House Rock, its now down to a conference committee to come up with a  version that both the Senate and the house can pass, and send off to President Trump. I was really concerned the senate was going to choke on this just like they did on fixing health care, but sure enough they got something done, and the system is working," said Farenthold.

The Congressman has also been accused of using $84,000 in taxpayer money to settle with a former aide who sued him for sexual harassment in 2014. Farenthold addresses the elephant in the room, saying the allegations are false.

"I just want to let everyone know, I absolutely did not engage in any improper conduct. I was investigated by the office of congressional ethics, and they found 6-0, there wasn't enough effort ," said Farenthold.

Farenthold says he cannot confirm how much the settlement amount was due to a confidentiality agreement, but says he is working on a loan to pay it back. He says if the loan doesn't come through he will start making payment installments.

"Because the law of the Congressional Accountability Act says those settlements must be paid by this account that is set up in the Treasury. It would have been illegal for me to pay. We're not even sure how get it back. I think what is going to end up happening, the payback mechanism, will be me making a donation to the government," said Farenthold.
Farenthold reiterates that this payment of the settlement is not an admission of guilt but believes the current system that requires tax payers to fund secret settlements must be fixed.

Rep. Farenthold started his term on Jan. 3, 2011. He is from Corpus Christi and graduated from the University of Texas and St. Mary's Law School. 
His term ends January 20, 2019. 

Currently the field of contenders for the District 27 seat includes: 

On the Democratic side: 

Roy Barrera 
Vanessa Edwards Foster 
Eric Holguin 
Ronnie McDonald 
Rene Pena

And for the Republicans:  
Bech Bruun 
Michael Cloud
Eddie Gassman
Jerry Hall
Chris Mapp

Links to previous reports 
http://www.crossroadstoday.com/story/37063295/congressman-farenthold-addresses-calls-for-resignation
http://www.crossroadstoday.com/story/36975414/congressman-farentholds-statement-on-sexual-harassment-settlement
http://www.crossroadstoday.com/story/36989779/congressman-farenthold-pledges-to-repay-public-funds-that-settled-claim
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