Rep. Alcee Hastings​ Sex Harassment Suit Settled For $220K: NBC

WEST PALM BEACH, FL — Five years ago, the conservative group Judicial Watch filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Democratic U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida, and now a new report says taxpayers footed the bill for a $220,000 settlement with Hastings' accuser. Judicial Watch sued on behalf of Winsome Packer, a Republican colleague who accused Hastings of repeatedly subjecting her to "unwelcome sexual advances," "unwelcome touching" and eventually retaliation.

Packer's settlement was confirmed by documents reviewed by NBC News, which said the settlement was the largest known amount about since the Congressional Accountability Act was passed 22 years ago. The federal court dismissed the case, with prejudice, in 2014.

Hastings vehemently denied the allegations according to a letter obtained by NBC News. He told the news outlet that he had not seen the settlement details until last Friday. He said he was never consulted and wasn't aware until after the fact that "such a settlement was made."

Hastings currently represents the 20th district, mapped out below, which includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Parts of Miramar, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach are all in his district.

The alleged harassment and retaliation started in 2008 when Hastings was Chairman of the United States Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, Judicial Watch said in a release at the time.

For over two years, Packer was forced to endure "unwelcome sexual advances, crude sexual comments, and unwelcome touching" by Hastings, the group said. She repeatedly rejected the sexual attention and complained multiple times about the harassment to the Commission Staff Director, Fred Turner, the group said. But Hastings allegedly continued to sexually harass her, and Hastings and Turner then retaliated against Packer—including threatening to fire her.

Judicial Watch's complaint said Hastings repeatedly demanded that Packer allow him to stay in her apartment overseas and would hug her with both arms while pressing his body and face up against hers. He also allegedly asked her multiple times to go with him alone to his hotel room and asked her inappropriate questions, such as inquiring about what kind of underwear she was wearing.

Hastings was first elected to the House in 1992 to represent Florida's 23rd district.

Photo credit: Win McNamee /Getty Images; Screenshot of Google Maps on Hastings' website