Texas Congressman Joe Barton previously threatened to report a woman to federal police if she disclosed details about his sex life, a new report has revealed.
Around the time the Republican representative apologized for his leaked nudes and provocative texts that circulated online this week, a female acquaintance came forward about a past instance where she was menaced by the shamed politician.
The unidentified woman, who alleges she was sexually involved with Barton for several years, shared an audio recording from 2015 with The Washington Post.
It seems the pair exchanged a series of messages and photos and had two intimate encounters prior to Barton’s warning which said the woman’s career would be ‘negatively’ affected in the case she divulged his deeds.
Barton forced her to swear that the exchange would ‘end’ between the two of them during the phone call.
‘I will be completely straight with you. I am ready if I have to, I don’t want to, but I should take all this crap to the Capitol Hill Police and have them launch an investigation. And if I do that, that hurts me potentially big time,’ Barton said.
While speaking with the Post, Barton said the call came after the pair’s relationship came had ended and the woman made the initial threat to expose him.
He said in the statement: ‘As the transcript reflects, I offered to take the matter to the Capitol Hill Police to open an investigation.
‘Today, the Capitol Police reached out to me and offered to launch an investigation and I have accepted.’
An unnamed woman said Texas Congressman Joe Barton threatened to report her in 2015 to federal police if she exposed his sex life. Barton apologized Wednesday for a leaked nude photo of him, says he won’t resign though
The Republican acknowledged the sexually explicit photo and graphic texts in a statement on Wednesday saying it occurred when he was separated from his second wife
Earlier today, the congressman from Ennis apologized for the bombshell picture and ‘sext’ message published by an anonymous Twitter user named Parker21333 Tuesday.
While perhaps damaging to his reputation, Barton said he has no plans to resign over it.
He acknowledged the sexually explicit photo in a statement on Wednesday saying it was taken in recent years when he was separated from his second wife.
‘While separated from my second wife, prior to the divorce, I had sexual relationships with other mature adult women. Each was consensual. Those relationships have ended,’ the 68-year-old revealed.
‘I am sorry I did not use better judgment during those days. I am sorry that I let my constituents down.’
The close and personal image had been censored to cover the politician’s penis.
The user also posted the screenshot of a graphic text message Barton had sent that read: ‘I want u soo bad. Right now.’
Barton joined the House in 1985 and is currently the longest serving Congressman from Texas. The 68-year-old announced his re-election bid earlier this month
The person also claims to have footage of Barton masturbating.
It is not clear if Parker21333 is the person who received the text messages from Barton, but the person claims they are now being ‘harassed’ by the congressman.
Barton married his second wife Terri in 2004 before they divorced two years ago. He was married to his first wife Janet Sue Winslow from 1970 to 2003.
He has four children and five grandchildren.
Barton, who only announced his re-election bid earlier this month, told the Texas Tribune he was now deliberating it.
‘You’re as aware of what was posted as I am,’ he said.
‘I am talking to a number of people, all of whom I have faith in and am deciding how to respond, quite frankly.’
Barton joined the House in 1985 and is currently the longest serving Congressman from Texas.
He is the vice-chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.