Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies ahead of the Senate Finance Committee all over his affirmation listening to on January 29.Douglas Christian/ZUMA
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On Friday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., responding to written questions from Senate Democrats, printed details about his private historical past that was once no longer but a part of the general public document: He had settled no less than one case by which he have been accused of “misconduct or inappropriate behavior.” Kennedy additionally stated that he have been celebration to no less than one non-disclosure settlement.
However in that answer Kennedy equipped no information about those allegations. He best introduced a one-word answer when requested if he had ever been accused in any such type: “Yes.”
In consequence, Senate Democrats adopted up with any other written question to Kennedy, the anti-vaxxer and conspiracy theorist who has been nominated by means of President Donald Trump to guide the Division of Well being and Human Products and services. This was once the request:
Please describe the character of the monetary settlements (together with totalamounts) and non-disclosure agreements reached and what those agreements concerned. Please additionally point out what number of of those settlements and non-disclosure agreements you’ve gotten signed.
On Sunday, Kennedy submitted his reaction:
Two times, I’ve been focused by means of frivolous, unfounded allegations, which Istrenuously denied on the time and proceed to disclaim. I entered into confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements to ban those people from proceeding to make those allegations.
This was once no longer a complete solution. The Senate Democrats had requested for the entire quantities of the settlements, and Kennedy didn’t supply that knowledge. Nor did this reaction point out what “misconduct or inappropriate behavior” have been alleged.
On this answer, Kennedy stressed out that he denied the allegations, no matter that they had been. However how can senators assess his refutation?
All over his affirmation listening to on Thursday ahead of the Senate Committee on Well being, Schooling, Hard work, and Pensions, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), noting that “character matters,” requested Kennedy in regards to the allegation from Eliza Cooney, who have been a babysitter for Kennedy’s circle of relatives, that Kennedy had as soon as groped her.
Murray famous that once the allegation become public in July Kennedy stated he was once “not a church boy… I have so many skeletons in my closet.” (He didn’t deny Cooney’s accusation.) Murray additionally identified that Kennedy had texted an apology to Cooney claiming he had no reminiscence of the incident.
Kennedy shot again at Murray with a brand new place: “That story has been debunked.” Murray requested why then had he apologized to Cooney. Kennedy stated, “I apologized to her for something else.”
However that was once no longer how the textual content he despatched to Cooney got here throughout. It learn, “I have no memory of this incident but I apologize sincerely for anything I ever did that made you feel uncomfortable or anything I did or said that offended you or hurt your feelings. I never intended you any harm. If I hurt you, it was inadvertent. I feel badly for doing so.”
On the listening to, Kennedy didn’t specify what the “something else” was once for which he had apologized to Cooney.
Kennedy’s alternate with Murray may lead senators to query the validity of his denial of the accusations of beside the point conduct that he fended off with confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements. What came about in those two circumstances stays a thriller.
After Kennedy to start with disclosed the lifestyles of those agreements, Senate Democrats didn’t elevate a fuss about those accusations. Together with his nomination heading towards a committee vote and perhaps a flooring vote this upcoming week, it’s unclear whether or not the allegations of misconduct that Kennedy smothered will play any position within the combat over his affirmation. Kennedy’s stonewalling might neatly be triumphant.
