AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A Georgetown Republican who was most recently at the center of a sexual harassment investigation is stepping down as chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
Sen. Charles Schwertner, a physician, sent a letter to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick informing him about this decision Friday.
“Per our discussions, I have asked not to serve in that capacity this session so that I can work and lead on other policy issues for my district as well as spend more time with my family,” Schwertner wrote. “I look forward to a great session working for the citizens of Senate District 5.”
In September, reports about a female graduate student from UT Austin alleging the senator sent her a sexually explicit image and text messages came to light. Documents released through a public information request shows she sent screenshots to the university’s Title IX investigators. Johnny Sutton, a former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, was hired to investigate the matter.
Three months later, investigators concluded that “evidence does not support a finding” that Sen. Schwertner was responsible for text messages to the student. The executive summary states Schwertner blamed a third person, but did not disclose their identity. Through an attorney, the third person signed an affidavit and admitted to sending naked photos and inappropriate text messages to the student. But, because Schwertner did not fully disclose all the information he had, investigators couldn’t move forward.
“We recognize that it is plausible [Schwertner] sent the text messages and photograph from a device other than his personal cell phone and the third person claiming responsibility is being untruthful or does not exist, but we have no evidence to support those possibilities. It is also plausible that the third person who claims to have sent the text messages and photograph does exist and did in fact send them. The forensic evidence shows that a third person had the means to do so. [Schwertner] has access to information that could allow a more definitive conclusion to this matter, but [Schwertner] is unwilling to share that information, and the University lacks authority to compel him to cooperate more fully,” the summary stated.
After the investigation closed, Schwertner released a statement maintaining he never sent the messages.
“I do not condone sexual misconduct of any kind. The University of Texas has closed their investigation because I did not send the offensive text messages in question,” Sen. Schwertner wrote to KXAN. “I appreciate the steadfast support of my family, friends, and voters who believed in and re-elected me just weeks ago. This unfortunate matter is now closed.”