HOUSTON – U.S. Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) issued a statement Monday after a political blogger resurfaced allegations made against him in a 2008 lawsuit.
In the lawsuit, Green’s former staffer accused the Houston congressman of forcing a sexual encounter. Green denied the allegations and filed a countersuit, which was settled nine years ago. Both parties said they regretted the circumstances that led to the dispute.
The issue was brought up on social media again this weekend, so Green and his ex-aide decided to send another statement to The Washington Post.
The statement follows:
“In the present climate, we wish to jointly quiet any curious minds about our former and present relationship with one another. We are friends, and have long been friends. At an unfortunate time in our lives, when both of our feelings were hurt, we hastily made allegations and charges against one another that have been absolutely resolved. As consenting friends, we both regret our former claims and have since then maintained our respectful friends. We are friends.
"This matter has been resolved without payment of any money or transfer of any consideration of any kind by either of us to the other. As friends, we have both agreed that we see no need to make further statements regarding this absolutely resolved matter."
The statement was signed by both Green and the former staff member.