Ex-staffer says Franks offered her $5 million to carry his child: report

A former aide for Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) said Franks offered her $5 million to act as a surrogate for his child, according to a new report a day after Franks announced his resignation.

The former staffer told The Associated Press that Franks asked her four times to act as a surrogate.

Politico also reported Friday that Franks made unwanted advances toward female aides related to surrogacy. He reportedly approached two female staffers about becoming surrogates. The two women said it was not clear whether he was inquiring about impregnating them via sexual intercourse or in vitro fertilization.

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One former staffer reportedly accused Franks of revoking her access to the congressman after she denied his advances, according to Politico.

A spokesperson for Franks denied the allegations to Politico on Friday.

Franks abruptly resigned on Friday after originally announcing this week that he would resign at the end of January.

“After discussing options with my family, we came to the conclusion that the best thing for our family now would be for me to tender my previous resignation effective today, Dec. 8th, 2017,” Franks said in a statement.

On Thursday, Franks revealed he was resigning because he discussed the option of surrogacy with female staffers.

“Due to my familiarity and experience with the process of surrogacy, I clearly became insensitive as to how the discussion of such an intensely personal topic might affect others,” Franks said in a statement. “I deeply regret that my discussion of this option and process in the workplace caused distress.”

In the statement, he also emphasized that he didn’t engage in any physical misconduct with staffers.

“I have absolutely never physically intimidated, coerced, or had, or attempted to have, any sexual contact with any member of my congressional staff,” he said.

The House Ethics Committee announced Thursday it was opening an investigation into Franks’ actions.

-Updated 4:15 p.m.