In early January, a staffer for Herschel Walker’s failed Senate campaign alleged that Republican activist Matt Schlapp made “sustained and unwanted and unsolicited” sexual contact with him while they were driving back from a bar in October. The staffer said that Schlapp, who is the chair of the American Conservative Union and lead organizer for the Conservative Political Action Conference, “groped” and “fondled” his crotch against his will after buying him drinks.
The aide said he shared his story in order to “expose what he described as predatory behavior by Schlapp and ensure he faces accountability.” Schlapp, who is married to “GOP consultant Mercedes Schlapp,” denied the allegations.
Now, the staffer is taking his claims to court. According to a lawsuit filed in a Virginia circuit court by “John Doe,” the former staffer is seeking $9.4 million in damages and claims battery, defamation, and conspiracy.
According to the lawsuit, the staffer told others about what had happened and recorded a video of his recounting. He also claims to have told officials in the Herschel Walker campaign and they arranged for someone else to drive Schlapp the following day. The suit also includes screenshots of texts between him and Schlapp.
Schlapp responded to the lawsuit via a statement from his attorney.
“The complaint is false, and the Schlapp family is suffering unbearable pain and stress due to the false allegation from an anonymous individual,” the statement reads. “No family should ever go through this, and the Schlapps and their legal team are assessing counter-suit options.”
https://twitter.com/mschlapp/status/1615430319871516693
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
[People]
