Matt Schlapp, Lead Organizer of CPAC, "Groped" Crotch of Herschel Walker Campaign Staffer

Matt Schlapp, Chair of the American Conservative Union & Lead Organizer of CPAC, seen her counting the number of sexual assault allegations against him. [Photo Credit: Henry Romero/Reuters]

A staffer for the Herschel Walker Senate campaign has alleged to The Daily Beast that Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, lead organizer of the Conservative Political Action Committee [CPAC], and regarded by many to be one of the most influential conservatives in the United States, made "sustained and unwanted and unsolicited" sexual contact with him in October 2022.

According to the staffer, the incident occurred on October 19, 2022 following a Herschel Walker campaign event that Schlapp had traveled to Georgia in order to attend. The staffer was providing chauffer service for Schlapp to attend an after-party at a local Atlanta bar.

While inside the bar, the staffer detailed Schlapp's behavior as "repeatedly and inappropriately intruding into [his] personal space," adding, "It was a public space, and I think he got the hint. I didn't want to embarass him--but it escalated."

When in transit back to the hotel Schlapp was staying at, Schlapp put his hand on the staffer's leg before "fondling" his crotch at length. The staffer, who at the time was frozen in shock, recalls the event, describing it as "scarring" and "humiliating." Once arriving at the hotel, Schlapp invited the staffer to his room, but the staffer says he declined and left "as quickly as I could."

Later that evening, Schlapp called the staffer--shortly after midnight--to confirm that he would still chauffer him to an event in Macon, GA the next day. The staffer confirmed that he would in what he describes as a "short" and "perfunctory" phone call, after which he "broke down" and recorded a series of videos, detailing the evening. Those videos were shared with The Daily Beast, as well as two other people including the staffer's wife. They include clips of the staffer saying:

"In regard to Matthew Schlapp, chairman of CPAC, who approximately two hours ago put his hands on me in a sustained and unsolicited and unwanted manner. Matt Schlapp of the CPAC grabbed my junk and pummeled it at length, and I’m sitting there thinking what the hell is going on, that this person is literally doing this to me? From the bar to the Hilton Garden Inn, he has his hands on me. And I feel so fucking dirty... I feel so fucking dirty. I’m supposed to pick this motherfucker up in the morning and just pretend like nothing happened. This is what I’m dealing with; this is what I got to do."

The Herschel Walker campaign was made aware of the events the night of the incident on the following day. Throughout the interviews with The Daily Beast, the staffer was emphatic that he had received "nothing but support" from the Walker campaign officials, who never pressured him and gave him complete autonomy on how to move forward. The options for which included legal and therapeutic support, as well as pressing charges.

Due to concerns of drawing unwanted attention during his first weeks in a new job in Republican politics, the staffer, who is in his mid-30s, requested that his name be withheld. However, he said that he would come forward with his name if Schlapp denied the claims. And, while he didn't want to take legal action at the time, the staffer says that he is "still weighing [his] options"--with legal action being an option particularly if Schlapp does not step down from the American Conservative Union [ACU].

Trump speaking at CPAC in 2021. [Photo Credit: Eric Schaff/The New York Times]

The ACU hosts the annual CPAC events, magnets for die-hard conservative politicians which in recent years have been criticized as an increasingly heated incubator for radicals within the party. As chairman of the ACU--along with decades spent in the upper echelons of the Republican Party--give Schlapp an enormous amount of clout in conservative circles.

The ACU did not reply to questions as of the publishing of The Daily Beast's article.

Charlie Spies, attorney for Mr. Schlapp, said in a statement to The Daily Beast, "This appears to be now the twelfth Daily Beast piece with personal attacks on Matt Schlapp and his family. The attack is false and Mr. Schlapp denies any improper behavior. We are evaluating legal options for response."