American Conservative Union chairman Matt Schlapp allegedly attempted to settle a lawsuit accusing him of sexual battery and defamation, according to The Daily Beast. Multiple sources claimed that Schlapp proposed a settlement offer “in the low six figures” to resolve the lawsuit brought against him and his wife by Republican strategist Carlton Huffman. However, Huffman reportedly rejected the offer and countered with a significantly higher sum, which Schlapp turned down.
Huffman’s lawsuit seeks $9.4 million in damages. Schlapp has denied Huffman’s allegations, but separate claims have surfaced involving unwanted advances toward others in recent years. Publicist Mark Corallo, representing the Schlapp family, denied any settlement offers and emphasized their readiness for trial, expressing confidence in their ability to prevail in court.
The settlement report has sparked discussions about Schlapp’s transparency and how the American Conservative Union (ACU) has handled the accusations against him. Questions have also been raised about the organization’s financial practices. These concerns gained more attention when Charlie Gerow, the vice chairman of the ACU’s board, resigned emphasizing the need for further investigation into the Schlapp accusations and the ACU’s financial situation.