A former girlfriend of Rep. Thomas Massie accused him this week of offering her $5,000 to drop a wrongful termination complaint against his close ally, Rep. Victoria Spartz. Cynthia West's accusation surfaced a week before Massie's May 19 primary, which President Trump is targeting in what has become the most expensive U.S. House primary in history.
West said Massie's offer involved cash that he had previously given her during their relationship and that she later returned to him. She told Axios she broke her silence because she resented Massie for speaking about the need for transparency when it came to releasing the Epstein files — even as, she alleges, he attempted to silence her with cash.
West worked in Spartz's office for about six weeks after Massie, her boyfriend at the time, arranged it. After they broke up, West said, she was fired by Spartz, who has a reputation as one of the "worst bosses" in Congress.
West stated she did not coordinate or communicate with Trump's political operation or the campaign of Massie's primary opponent, Ed Gallrein. The allegation adds a layer of personal scandal to an already contentious political battle.
The accusation remains unproven, and West said she has no recording or written documentation of the alleged offer. The Massie campaign has not yet responded to a request for comment on the claims.