Politics | Congress GOP Congressman Abruptly Quits Blake Farenthold of Texas wasn't running for re-election anyway after harassment allegations By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Apr 6, 2018 4:35 PM CDT Copied In this Dec. 19, 2017, file photo, Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, arrives for a meeting of House Republicans on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) A Texas congressman beset by a slew of sexual harassment issues is leaving office sooner than expected. Republican Blake Farenthold, who previously decided not to seek re-election, has abruptly resigned—as of 5pm Friday, reports USA Today. “While I planned on serving out the remainder of my term in Congress, I know in my heart it’s time for me to move along and look for new ways to serve," he says in a statement. Farenthold has acknowledged that he oversaw a congressional office with a frat-house atmosphere, but his biggest scandal was the revelation that he used taxpayer money to pay an $84,000 sexual harassment settlement to a former female staffer. The House ethics panel was investigating his behavior, and it's unclear whether those inquiries played a role in the quick resignation. Read These Next FEMA failed to answer thousands of calls after the Texas floods. Air India pilots cut off fuel to engines 30 seconds into flight. 'Bad batch' of drugs causes mass OD in Baltimore. Passengers left Cancun, did not have a great time. Report an error