In yet another instance of “family values” Republicans seeking to evade accountability by resorting to financial settlements, prominent conservative figure Matt Schlapp has reportedly agreed to a substantial payout to resolve a sexual assault lawsuit levied against him.
Sources familiar with the matter disclosed to CNN that a settlement totaling $480,000 was extended to Carlton Huffman, the Republican operative who had accused Schlapp of sexual misconduct. This sum was reportedly facilitated through an insurance policy.
Although Schlapp’s legal team declined to comment on the specifics of the financial arrangement, Schlapp himself asserted innocence, attributing the lawsuit to what he described as a campaign of character assassination perpetuated by left-leaning media outlets. Despite Schlapp’s claims of exoneration, insiders revealed that Huffman did indeed receive financial compensation through an insurance provider.
Huffman, bound by legal constraints, offered only limited commentary, stating, “We have resolved our differences.” His attorney similarly refrained from divulging details, stating that the parties involved had reached a resolution.
Schlapp’s celebration of the lawsuit’s conclusion, evidenced by his social media post referencing an article proclaiming his exoneration, was short-lived as the tweet has since been deleted. The original lawsuit had sought damages exceeding $9 million.
Schlapp, known for his leadership role in the American Conservative Union (ACU), which organizes the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), has aligned himself closely with former President Donald Trump. Notably, Schlapp’s wife, Mercedes Schlapp, served in the Trump administration as communications director.
The alleged assault took place during a ride with Schlapp following a social outing in October 2022. Huffman, then working for the Georgia GOP, accused Schlapp of inappropriate advances, including unwanted groping.
By opting for a settlement, Schlapp sidestepped the potential public scrutiny of a trial, sparing himself from testifying and preventing damaging revelations from surfacing, including deposition statements from witnesses critical of his behavior.
Despite Schlapp’s claims of innocence, skepticism remains, with some sources suggesting that the settlement does not absolve him of guilt, but rather underscores an attempt to silence accusers through financial means. Moreover, scrutiny of Huffman’s own conduct emerged during the legal proceedings, though no criminal charges were filed against him.
Ultimately, Schlapp’s decision to settle the lawsuit was likely motivated by a desire to shield himself and his family from further public scrutiny and to avoid the potentially damaging revelations that could have emerged during a trial.
