The Republican political strategist who accused conservative leader Matt Schlapp, the influential chairman of the American Conservative Union, of sexual assault is revealing his identity after a judge ruled Wednesday that he cannot move forward with his lawsuit anonymously.
Carlton Huffman, 39, was working for Herschel Walker’s Senate campaign in Georgia when Huffman said Schlapp groped and fondled his groin without his consent as he drove the ACU president back from two area bars to an Atlanta hotel several weeks before the November midterm election.
Huffman, who gave CNN permission to use his name ahead of the court’s decision being made public, plans to proceed with his civil lawsuit, which is seeking more than $9 million in damages for alleged sexual battery, defamation and conspiracy to impugn the accuser.
In a statement given to CNN, Huffman said, “On Oct 19, 2022, Matt Schlapp attempted to take my dignity but he did not take my voice. Today, I reclaim that voice and for every victim of sexual assault, I am here to say there is justice and there will be accountability. I look forward to our day in court.”
Benjamin Chew, the Schlapps’ lawyer, told CNN, “The Schlapps are gratified by the Court’s decision.”
Mark Corallo, a spokesman for the Schlapps, said in a separate statement, “We are confident that when his full record is brought to light in a court of law, we will prevail. Out of respect for the court, we have no further comment at this time.”
An attorney for Huffman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Schlapp, best known for his role in hosting the ACU’s annual Conservative Political Action Conference, has denied Huffman’s allegations. But some Republicans linked diminished interest and attendance at the CPAC gathering last week in Maryland, which was also riven by internal divisions…
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