The Trump transition team was only recently alerted to the payment by Mr Hegseth, a Fox News commentator and a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The payment was reported earlier by The Washington Post.
Mr Hegseth's lawyer, Mr Timothy Parlatore, said his client had done nothing wrong.
"Mr Hegseth is completely innocent," Mr Parlatore said. "Not only did she take advantage of him, but we believe she then extorted him, knowing that at the height of the #MeToo movement, the mere public allegation would likely result in his immediate termination from Fox News."
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Denne historien er fra November 18, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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On social media - MOTHER AND SON REUNITED
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Kampong Java arts space
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Adaptable abode
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