Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R.-Tenn., exits Judge Jacqueline Bolton’s courtroom.Tennessee Democrats raged and state Republicans went quiet Thursday as new revelations rocked the post-re-election world of U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn.
A decade before reaching Capitol Hill as a self-proclaimed “consistent supporter of pro-life values,” DesJarlais encouraged his ex-wife’s decision to get two abortions before their marriage, according to the congressman’s sworn testimony during his 2001 divorce trial. First reported Thursday by the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the trial transcript also confirms DesJarlais had a battery of potentially unethical relationships while serving in a position of medical authority.
Under oath, DesJarlais admitted sexual trysts with at least two patients, three coworkers and a drug representative while he was chief of staff at Grandview Medical Center in Jasper, Tenn. Serving a dual role as doctor and lover, DesJarlais prescribed one patient pain medication and lavished her with an $875 watch and a plane ticket to Las Vegas, records show.
The transcript corroborates accounts given to the Times Free Press in October by one of the patients who had a sexual relationship with DesJarlais. The newspaper continues to grant her and the other women anonymity because of the nature of the testimony.
DesJarlais spokesman Robert Jameson did not respond to multiple requests for comment throughout the day, and state GOP officials distanced themselves from the situation.