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A Texas senator is accused of sending an explicit text message and a photograph of his genitals to a graduate student at the University of Texas – saying, "I just want you to be successful," according to anonymous university officials.
Three senior university officials told the American American Statesman that the school was investigating allegations against Senator Charles Schwertner, who met with the student at an event on campus this summer. The student told the married Republican that she was interested in politics, particularly her work in the legislature, prompting them to share posts on LinkedIn before taking the conversation via SMS, two officials told the newspaper.
Schwertner, 48, then interrupted a professional exchange on the student's political career with frank disclosure, writing: "I just want to celebrate you" and sent a picture of his genitals apparently taking a shower , according to a university. official who had seen the graphic exchange. The obscure image did not include the legislator's face.
The student then told Schwertner that he had acted inappropriately and that the legislator had not responded. The student then reported the explicit exchange to university officials, leading to a survey that could lead to Schwertner's ban on the campus, two university officials told the newspaper.
The University of Texas is also considering hiring outside counsel to deepen the student's charges, a third official said.
Schwertner, meanwhile, said that he "categorically refutes any knowledge of the charges" and is committed to cooperating with the investigation, according to the statement in the newspaper.
"The Senator categorically denies any knowledge of the charges against him and became aware of this allegation only when the media contacted him late. [Tuesday]"Said a spokesman for Schwertner in a statement. "The senator is eager to cooperate with the University of Texas and hopes to make it clear that he has played no part in the described behavior."
A university spokesman declined to discuss any ongoing investigations.
"The University of Texas takes all allegations of wrongdoing seriously and encourages members of the campus community to report them immediately," Gary Susswein, a spokesperson for the newspaper, told reporters. UT. "We strive to investigate complaints in a thorough and timely manner while respecting the privacy of students and employees who file complaints and persons accused of wrongdoing"
A message requesting an additional comment from Schwertner was not returned immediately on Wednesday.
Schwertner's website describes him as a "family doctor, life preserver" who lives in Georgetown with his wife, Belinda, and his three sons.
After joining the House of Representatives in 2010, Schwertner was elected to the Senate in 2012. A year later, he was named a "freshman in the Senate" by Texas Monthly Magazine.
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