Former Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) left his lobbying position with the Calhoun Port Authority months after a local newspaper filed a lawsuit claiming he was hired illegally.
The Victoria Advocate reported Thursday that Farenthold’s resignation had been announced in a board of directors meeting that morning, but all six remaining members of the board declined to comment on the former congressman’s resignation. Farenthold was not present at the meeting.
{mosads}Farenthold, 57, resigned from Congress last April following news reports detailing how he used $84,000 in taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment claim from a staffer.
Despite previously pledging to pay back the money he used for the settlement, there is no evidence he ever did so. Last May, Farenthold announced that he would join the Texas port authority in order to “assist” with matters the former Texas lawmaker is familiar with.
“The Board looks forward to the services Blake can provide in assisting the Port with matters in Washington, D.C.,” the organization said at the time.
The Victoria Advocate promptly filed a lawsuit, which remains pending, following Farenthold’s hiring claiming that the port authority did not give adequate public notice of the congressman’s hiring.
“The discussions between the Board and its chief executive regarding Mr. Farenthold’s hire were a matter of public concern, and Texas law required that more specific notice be given to the public,” the newspaper argued at the time.
Farenthold represented Calhoun County during his time in Congress. First elected in 2010, Farenthold previously announced he would not seek a fifth term in 2018 before resigning that year. His replacement, Rep. Michael Cloud (R), was reelected to a full term in November after winning a special election to finish Farenthold’s term.
This article was updated at 9:30 p.m. to correctly note Cloud’s victory in the Texas special election.