The former girlfriend of Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) alleges that he offered her $5,000 to rescind a wrongful termination lawsuit against a powerful congressional ally, Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.).
Cynthia West, who is a social worker and running for a school board position in Okaloosa County, Florida, began dating Massie shortly after the passing of his first wife in 2024. She mentioned that he had suggested a job for her in Spartz’s office, but she never applied and ended the relationship shortly thereafter.
West publicly shared these claims on Tuesday during an interview with Marcus Carey, a Kentucky lawyer who has previously challenged Massie in an election. Massie has held his seat since he won his election in 2012.
These allegations have emerged just as early voting is underway for Kentucky’s primary election on May 19. Massie is currently facing a well-funded re-election challenge from former Navy SEAL Ed Galane, who has the backing of former President Trump. This tension has made Massie’s race particularly notable this election cycle.
West clarified that she is not in contact with Galane’s campaign and said that no one has paid her to make these accusations.
The relationship between West and Massie escalated quickly after they met on social media in August 2024, leading to romantic trips, including one to South Africa. “He wanted me to go everywhere,” West explained when asked about a potential job in Washington, D.C., which Massie had facilitated.
West eventually ended the relationship, citing uncomfortable requests from Massie and alleging emotional abuse. Following the breakup, she filed a wrongful termination claim against Spartz’s office, naming Massie as a witness and alleging he offered her money to drop the suit.
In an interview, West shared that after informing Massie about her claims, he reacted with anger, suggesting she couldn’t make a difference and should just walk away. “He had $5,000 and said he would give it to me if I would leave,” she recalled, noting that she didn’t accept the offer.
Earlier this year, the Office of Congressional Ethics reportedly proposed a $60,000 settlement, which West declined due to its inclusion of a nondisclosure agreement that would prevent her from discussing the matter further. “I’ve been advocating for transparency and accountability,” she noted, stressing that accepting such a deal would compromise her integrity.
Massie has denied the accusations, asserting they are politically motivated, especially given their timing before the election. He stated that all claims against him are false, insisting he has never offered money for silence and that he is consulting with legal counsel about his options.
When contacted for comments regarding the allegations, West redirected inquiries to a spokesperson for Fox News Digital.
Additionally, a spokesperson for Spartz indicated that West was put on a temporary probationary basis at their office and that her employment was not extended due to performance issues. The spokesperson avoided specifics about West’s claims.
Massie and Spartz have a close political relationship, with Spartz being the sole Republican to endorse him for House Speaker in 2023 and attending his wedding in 2025.
